Security ... think about it!
The worst case of terrorism during the Olympics was at the Munich Games in 1972, when Palestinians killed 11 Israeli athletes. Hosting the Summer Olympics for the first time since 1936, many hoped the Games could help heal racial wounds left by Adolf Hitler. However, the friendship and spirit generally felt at the Olympics was shattered on the morning of September 5th when eight Arab terrorists stormed into the Olympic village raiding a building that housed the Israeli contingent. Two Israelis were killed as the terrorists broke into the athletes' rooms and nine more were taken as hostages. The terrorists demanded the release of more than 200 Palestinians serving time in Israeli jails. After unsuccessful negotiations, the terrorists took the hostages to a military airport in Munich to fly back to the Middle East. While at the airport German sharpshooters opened fire killing three of the Palestinians. During a gun battle all nine hostages, one policeman and two terrorists were killed. After a day of mourning it was determined the Games should go on with flags flying at half-staff.