As it appears unlikely that the International Olympic Committee will agree to the request of British MPs and others who have called for a moment of silence at the London Olympics in honor of the Israeli athletes slain in Munich in 1972, Bob Costas– hosting the ceremonies for the American network NBC– will take it on himself.
At the July 27 Opening Ceremony from London, Costas plans to call out the IOC for denying Israel’s request for a moment of silence acknowledging the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches at the 1972 Games. On the 40th anniversary of Munich, it’s a decision he finds “baffling.” When the Israeli delegation enters the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium, Costas will stage his own protest: “I intend to note that the IOC denied the request,” he says, modulating his voice as if he were on the air. “Many people find that denial more than puzzling but insensitive. Here’s a minute of silence right now.”
Well done, Bob. Anyone want to try and convince the BBC to do the same?
(Hat tip: Jeffrey Goldberg)