Yossef Romano

Yosef Romano was a weightlifter with the Israeli group that went to the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. Unfortunately, he also became one of eleven athletes murdered by Arab terrorists during their stay.

On September 5, at 4:30 a.m., Arab terrorists broke into the section of the Olympic Village where the Israeli team was staying. Two men gave their lives at this time, allowing some of their friends to escape. One of these men was Yosef Romano (aged 33), an interior decorator originally from Libya and a father of three girls. He was the Israeli weight-lifting champion in the light and middle-weight divisions for nine years.

The president of the Olympic committee at the time of the attack ordered the games to continue. It wasn’t until late in the afternoon, after half of the days events had been held, did they suspend the game schedule. The other nine Israeli athletes were killed during a bungled German rescue attempt later that night.

The International Olympic Committee (the IOC) has tried to forget the whole incident. In all the years that have followed, never once has the IOC paid respect, acknowledged or honored the fallen Israeli Olympians with a moment of silence, or a memorial, or any attempts to reach out to the widows and orphans left behind. The athletes’ families have tried to talk to officials about the situation saying “… you don't have to mention they were Israeli or Jewish, just say that 11 members of the Olympic family were murdered and they should be remembered”. But they were told in return that, "the Olympics are for the living, not for the dead”. Even though more than 30 years have passed, the families say that their fight for IOC recognition and a full inquiry as to what exactly happened in the rescue attempt will continue.

Steven Spielberg's controversial new movie, "Munich," is about the 1972 Olympic massacre and its aftermath. Two widows, Ankie Spitzer and Ilana Romano, of the 11 slain Israeli athletes said the film did not dishonor their husbands' memories, and they hope that the film will help their efforts with the IOC. Even though others disagree with their view of the movie, they said "We don't have a problem with it; the opposite, we are glad that people are being reminded of what happened in Munich so it will never happen again,".

Yosef Romano died in Munich, Germany on September 5, 1972. He and the other 10 Israeli athletes stood for strength, hope and love and yet were killed violently and senselessly. We remember them for the purpose they gave to their lives and how they gave of themselves. Although we cannot forget the way they died, there is much more to be gained in remembering the way they lived.