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Steve Prefontaine
American runner Steve Prefontaine (right) leading the men's 5,000-meter event at the 1972 Munich Olympics; he finished in fourth place.
Munich 1972 Olympic Games
Also known as: Games of the XX Olympiad
Quick Facts
- Date:
- August 26, 1972 - September 11, 1972
- Key People:
- Avery Brundage
- Frei Otto
- Jim McKay
- Abu Daoud
Munich 1972 Olympic Games, athletic festival held in Munich that took place August 26–September 11, 1972. The Munich Games were the 17th occurrence of the modern Olympic Games. Tragedy struck the 1972 Olympics in Munich when eight Palestinian terrorists from the militant group Black September invaded the Olympic Village on September 5 and killed two members of the Israeli team. Nine other Israelis were held hostage as the terrorists bargained for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. All the hostages, five of their captors, and a West German policeman were slain in a failed rescue attempt. The tragedy ...(100 of 461 words)