Yesterday at the Olympic Games, a fitting tribute was made to those Israeli athletics, coaches and German police officer murdered at the Munich Olympic games, 40 years ago.
The tribute did not come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The tribute came from an 18-year-old Jewish American Olympian Aly Raisman during her gymnastic floor routine. The tribute was a "moment of silence" presented as a gold medal for Raisman's performance to the Hebrew folk song "Hava Nagila," complete with audience participation.
This performance was a true celebration of life, achievement, and heritage and as such, was a most fitting tribute to those lost 40 years ago. As hard as the IOC tried to prevent a tribute to the lost, and perhaps even play a little fast and loose with Aly's scoring until the judges realized their "error," a very talented Jewish American athlete showed the IOC what the true spirit of the Olympics is about.
Mazel tov Aly! You have made us all proud! Thank you.
Editor's Note: Patch posted an incorrect photo earlier, but replaced it with a photo of Aly Raisman.
