IOC’s Rogge honors slain Israelis

LONDON – IOC President Jacques Rogge paid tribute Monday to the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed in Munich 40 years ago, leading a solemn minute of silence in the athletes village.

It was the first time the IOC has honored the slain Israelis in a ceremony inside an Olympic village.

Rogge has repeatedly rebuffed calls to hold a moment of silence during Friday’s opening ceremony of the London Games. He said Saturday the opening was not the appropriate place to remember the Israeli team members killed by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

On Monday, Rogge chose a different venue and occasion to hold a special observance.

“I would like to start today’s ceremony by honoring the memory of the 11 Israeli Olympians who shared the ideals that have brought us together in this beautiful Olympic Village,” Rogge said. “The 11 victims of the Munich tragedy believed in that vision.

“They came to Munich in the spirit of peace and solidarity. We owe it to them to keep the spirit alive and to remember them.”