1972 Munich, Germany
September
5th 1972
The above date will be marked down in the history of the Olympic games as the Olympiad of bloodshed and hate. The 2700-year-old tradition of peace and truce was demolished when Palestinian Commandos invaded the Olympic Village specifically the Israeli residence and opened fire. The first victim was the Israel Weightlifting Coach Moses Vaineburg.
In the athletic scene we saw the Soviet Valeri Borzov rise to stardom. He won gold medals in 100m and 200m. He was severely doubted because his American competitors thought that the race was due in the afternoon and not in the morning. They never competed.
Mark Spitz was the swimming star with seven gold medals making him the all time Olympic winner.
History was also made in the basketball event where the USSR won the gold by the most disputed shot of the century. Three seconds before the final whistle, the Soviets were leading by one point (49-48) and Doug Collins is fouled. He scores the two free-shots and the US is leading by one. Due to several misunderstandings, the clock was zeroed and then returned to the 3-second mark three times. Apparently 3 seconds were more than enough for Alexander Belof to score a two pointer and give the USSR the most scandalous victory in the Games. The Americans never received the silver medals; they are kept in a secret account in a Geneva Bank.