Olympiastadion
It was eerie visiting the Olympic Park on a rainy day as there was almost no one there. It’s now used as a concert venue – Bayern played their last game there in 2005 and moved to the Allianz Arena.
Their fans wanted a noisier atmosphere and to be nearer the pitch
The 1972 Olympiad witnessed the seven gold medal haul by Mark Spitz, the first soccer game between East and West Germany, a controversial final in the basketball match between Russia and USA, but will be remembered for one event; the kidnapping and subsequent slaying of 11 Israeli athletes by Black September. The subsequent counter response coordinated by the host nation was ineffective and IOC President Avery Brundage wanted the games restarted at indecent haste
I say it is odd as the detail on the use of the slave labour and the maintenance of Dachau – the first concentration camp – reflect a nation that does not hide its dark side. I guess like the Wall they move on where they are not to blame and that is one of their strengths and reasons for the impressive post war industrial revival that BMW represents.
The stadium was empty. Its futuristic design seems dated now as each Olympiad produces its own architecture and this was erected 45 years ago at a cost of €68m. Its capacity is just under 70,000.
I wonder if bands like Bon Jovi playing there know of the tragic events nearly 50 years ago.
