Olympic Flag Flown At Half Mast The 5th of September 1972 brought a sad day to the Munich Olympics as 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian gunmen in what was to become known as the Munich massacre . 24 hous after the sad events Avery Brundage led a memorial serivice saying "the Games must go on" General view of the Olympic Stadium with the Olympic flag flying at half mast 6th September 1972