• Munich 1972

Munich 1972 - Key Moments

ESPN staff
October 12, 2011
Munich 1972: Key Moments | Quick Hits | Key Facts | Medal Table | Gallery | Olympics Histories Home

One of the Black September guerrillas who broke into the Munich Olympic Village © Getty Images
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Mark Spitz dominated with seven gold medals but the American swimmer's efforts were completely overshadowed by the tragic events in the Olympic Village. Ten days into the event, Palestinian terrorists broke into the village and killed two members of the Israeli team and took nine more hostage. In the battle that followed with the authorities, all nine hostages were killed, as were five of the terrorists and one policeman.

The scenes shocked the world and the Games were suspended. The International Olympic Committee then ordered the competitions to resume after a pause of 34 hours, insisting that 'The games must go on!' in spite of the terrorist attack.

Britain's Mary Rand won gold in the pentathlon after taking silver eight years previous.

Liselott Linsenhoff was the first female to win an equestrian gold with victory in the dressage.

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