IOC president leads moment of silence at Olympic athletes’ village
Jacques Rogge refuses to commemorate slain Israelis at Games, but honors their memory at separate ceremony
LONDON (AP) — IOC President Jacques Rogge has paid tribute to the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed in Munich 40 years ago at a ceremony in the athletes’ village.
Rogge has rebuffed calls to hold a minute of silence during Friday’s opening ceremony for the Israelis killed by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 Munich Games.
On Monday, Rogge led a minute of silence during a ceremony promoting the Olympic truce.
Rogge started the ceremony by “honoring the memory of the 11 Israeli Olympians who shared the ideals that have brought us together in this beautiful Olympic village.”
He says the Israelis “came to Munich in the spirit of peace and solidarity.”
Rogge says “we owe it to them to keep that spirit alive and to remember them.”
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