Israel Matzav

IOC 'clarifies': No memorial for murdered Joooz in London

Yes, of course, the games must go on, just like they did in Munich 40 years ago (that's the closing ceremony above). The International Olympic Committee has now helpfully 'clarified' that there will be no memorial to the eleven murdered Jewish athletes at the opening ceremony in London (Hat Tip: Sunlight via comments).

Earlier reports indicated that the chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games, Lord Coe, said that he will hold a “personal” moment for the Israeli athletes at the opening ceremony, but it was unclear how he intends to do so.

A campaign led by Jewish leaders worldwide and Ankie Spitzer, widow of murdered Israeli coach Andrei Spitzer, has applied pressure on the International Olympic Committee to hold one minute of silence during this year’s opening ceremony to officially pay tribute to the victims of the brutal attack.

However, a statement sent to Channel 2 News by the IOC on Friday said in no uncertain terms that “What Lord Coe had said in a private meeting held yesterday caused confusion. As for the tragedy that occurred 40 years ago, Coe said that incident will not be remembered with a moment of silence but on an individual basis for each of the victims. The opening ceremony in London will not include any element of commemoration.”

A ceremony in memory of the murdered athletes will be held at City Hall, the IOC told Channel 2, adding that this is “the most appropriate way to honor the memory of the fallen during the games in London.”

Of course... they'll be remembered everywhere except the Olympic games. You can't get more 'appropriate' than that, can you?

Labels: anti-Semitism, London Olympics, Munich Olympic massacre

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:19 AM