In Rio, IOC pays tribute to Israelis massacred at 1972 Munich Summer Olympics

Ahead of the opening of the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the International Olympic Committee commemorated the 12 people, 11 of them Israelis, who were killed by Palestinian terrorists at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.

The ceremony was held for the first time at a memorial site in the Olympic Village in the Brazilian city.

Ankie Spitzer and Ilana Romano, widows of two of the murdered Israeli athletes, had been campaigning for years to have the Israelis officially commemorated. They were unsuccessful until Thomas Bach of Germany, became IOC president in September 2013.

“We were very impressed with the design of the Place of Mourning. This is an historic moment,” Romano said, according to the 'Jerusalem Post'. “This is an extremely emotional moment for us, one we have been waiting for since 1972. Our patience finally paid off. The memory of the 11 Munich victims has finally been acknowledged by the IOC.”

A “moment of reflection” for the Munich 11 will be held during the Rio Games’ closing ceremony.

In addition to the IOC commemorations, a ceremony for will be held at Rio City Hall on 14 August that will feature the widows of weightlifter Yossef Romano — who was kidnapped, castrated and murdered by the terrorists — and Andre Spitzer, a fencing coach, lighting 11 candles. Officials from the Israeli Olympic Committee and the Israeli Consulate will lead that commemoration.