The Foundation for Global Sports Development announced today that groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a contemporary memorial in Munich, Germany that will commemorate and honor the Israeli Olympians slain by terrorists during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel, Ms. Tzipi Hotovely, and the ambassador of Israel in the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, represented Israel by participating in the ceremonies.
The unique memorial is designed to visualize and promote a deeper understanding of the events that transpired on September 5th and 6th of 1972, with a significant focus given to the biographies of each victim. The memorial is being strategically placed between the Olympic Village and Olympic Stadium in Munich and will be open to the public in fall of 2016.
The Memorial Project was founded by the Bavarian States Ministry for Education, Science and Culture in 2014. The Foundation for Global Sports Development and the International Olympic Committee pledged their financial support early on, and have remained deeply committed to the project and involved throughout the stages of planning.
“This memorial project is one of the most important and meaningful undertakings I have had the privilege to be involved with,” said GSD executive board member, Dr. Steven Ungerleider. “As someone who has been in and around the Olympic family since the tragic events that transpired during the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, it is finally time to appropriately memorialize the victims and hopefully, bring a sense of closure to their families.”
“This has been an emotional journey and we are honored to have had the opportunity to be part of such a crucial step towards healing and remembrance,” added David Ulich, executive board member of GSD. “The memorial is inspiring and sets a precedent for how best to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
GSD’s involvement with the Munich Memorial Project inspired them to create a documentary film, “Munich ’72 And Beyond”, which revisits Munich’s history, investigates the terrorist attacks that took place during the 1972 Olympic Games, and follows the construction of the Memorial as it comes to life. “Munich ’72 And Beyond” will be released early next year. For more information, please visit GSD’s website at www.globalsportsdevelopment.org.
About Global Sports Development
Working closely with international sports federations, generous donors and committed athletes, The Foundation for Global Sports Development promotes sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics among the world’s youth. The Foundation gives special emphasis to groups and communities that are most in need or most underserved by current programs, including women, minorities and youth in areas where the risk of delinquency is particularly high. Visit www.globalsportsdevelopment.org to learn more.
About the Bavarian States Ministry for Education, Science and Culture
The Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Culture, Science and Art, shortly Bavarian Ministry of Culture (KM) is a ministry of the state of Bavaria based in Munich. Since 2008, the Minister of state has been Ludwig Spaenle. The responsibility of the Ministry is split between the departments of education, cultural affairs, science, and art. For further information please visit www.km.bayern.de.
About Munich ’72 & Beyond
Global Sports Development Producers, Dr. Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich, have partnered with Director Stephen Crisman and Executive Producer Michael Cascio to capture the story of the Munich Memorial, and to create an unflinching, elegant, and timely examination of contemporary remembrance. Memorials honor the fallen, but they also demand the past remain present. The documentary will revisit Munich’s history and bring it into a contemporary moment through intimate interviews and access to those involved. Architecture is everything. The film will also follow the construction of the Memorial as it comes to life. For further information please visit www.munichmemorial.org
