LONDON -- The widow of an Israeli coach slain during the 1972 Munich Olympics denounced the IOC during a memorial Monday to honor the dead, shouting "Shame on you!" for failing to offer a moment of silence during the Opening Ceremony for the London Games.
Ankie Spitzer took the podium during the service for the 11 athletes and officials killed in a terrorist attack and pointedly directed her remarks to International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge."Shame on you IOC, because you have forgotten 11 members of the Olympic family," she said.The remarks won Spitzer a standing ovation.Saying the IOC was discriminating against the Israelis because of their Jewish faith, Spitzer insisted the dead deserved to be honored as Olympians in an Olympic context and not in the places where memorials have been held, including Monday's event at London's Guildhall.Rogge earlier had recalled being an Olympian in 1972, competing in sailing."Even after 40 years, it is painful to relive the most painful moments of the Olympic movement," he said. "I can only imagine how painful it must be for the families and close ... friends of the victims."The proposal for a moment of silence has been controversial, with family members saying Olympic officials have made excuses for 40 years. The IOC has argued that the Opening Ceremony isn't an appropriate forum for a moment of silence.Spitzer, the widow of fencing coach Andrei Spitzer, pointed out that this year's ceremony included not one but two moments of silence and demanded to know why it was appropriate to offer them in memory of others but not the slain Israelis.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
