In my last post, http://www.edelsteinrandomthoughts.com/2012/05/boycott-british-bangers.html , I joined a large chorus criticizing the International Olympic Committee for rejecting the call for a one-minute moment of silence at this year's London games to mark the 40th anniversary of the Munich massacre. I commenced my boycott of all useful British things, which I recognized was a difficult task due to the lack of valuable British things, because of the hosts apparent agreement with the IOC's position.
The London Assembly has responded to the world outcry and unanimously adopted a motion supporting the minute of silence. http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/london-assembly-calls-for-munich-games-victims-to-be-remembered/201221654
That's the positive news. The despicable news: The IOC apparently feels that commemorating Israeli athletes who were murdered by terrorists is a "political gesture." Its position caused Andrew Dismore, the London Assembly member who made the motion, to say:
“The IOC say (sic) to have a minutes silence to commemorate these victims of terrorism would be a political gesture but surely not having a minutes silence is, in itself, the political gesture. This is not about the nationality of the victims; they were Olympians.”
And Roger Evans, the London Assembly member who seconded the motion, said:
“The IOC needs to show some political courage and allow the commemoration of a tragedy that affected their guests during their event in their venue forty years ago. This important decision should not be dictated by a small number of their members.”
It takes courage to commemorate innocent Olympic athletes who were kidnapped and murdered at the Olympics? Sad. Apparently, some individuals or countries in the Olympic community oppose commemorating the murder of Israelis, and the IOC cannot summon the "courage" to do what is right. Calling the situation pathetic and base does not adequately describe the circumstances.
As head of the American Olympic Committee prior to the 1936 Berlin games, Avery Brundage responded to calls for a boycott of the Nazi's Olympic games by declaring that German Jewish athletes were being treated just fine. He wrote in the AOC's pamphlet "Fair Play for American Athletes" that American athletes should not become involved in the "Jew-Nazi altercation." Faced with continued pressure, Brundage alleged the existence of a "Jewish-Communist conspiracy" to keep the United States out of the Games.
As head of the IOC in 1972, Brundage refused to halt or suspend the games after the Munich massacre.
Mr. Brundage would surely be proud of the position of the current members of the IOC.
The IOC is staying true to its history. Picket it.
ReplyDeleteMy friend was on 72 us wrestling olympic tram and practiced with Israel team I agree with.your position
ReplyDeleteAnd if the murdered athletes had been "Palestinians" . . . ?!
ReplyDeleteThen they should also commemorate it. That's the point. If there is a terrorist act committed against any Olympic athletes, it is worth commemorating. They shouldn't refrain from doing just because it is Israelis in this case.
DeleteCan we turn this negative into a positive with some creative organizing. Goal is education.
ReplyDelete1.If we could get a list of current Olympians we could try to organize a grass roots minute of silence by this year's participants.
2. A special salute by a few medal winners ala the Black Power salute at the Mex. Olympics.
3.Could we purchase a 1 minute commercial? Maybe it would generate hours of news coverage concerning the IOC's controversial decision.
I was unaware of the IOC's opposition to having a moment of silence at the Summer Olympics on the 40th anniversary of the tragedy in Munich.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we benefit from such moments of silence. When lights are dimmed, voices stilled, and activity is halted, we have a rare opportunity to reflect on the lasting meaning of an event, the thought and the will to transcend it, and, possibly, lessons learned. During a moment of silence, we can recognize what matters. If the solemn moment comes at the removal of considerable years, we can take stock of our healing powers and and humanity's unfinished business. Sometimes, in a moment of silence, we see the good.
Gary:
ReplyDeleteAn organized effort to persuade the IOC to have a minute of silence is being led by Ankie Spitzer, the widow of one of the murdered athletes. An on-line petition has collected over 50,000 signatures so far. The U.S. Congress, German Bundestag, Canadian Parliament, and the Australian government have all urged the IOC to change its position.