Olympic Pins, Olympic Memorabilia, Olympic Docs 1972

In Germany during Munich 1972, Mark Spitz autographed two Olympic tickets inside the Olympic Village. 

I happened to be walking behind a few dorms where there were only a few people. Three men were standing together in deep quiet conversation. As I walked closer I realized Mark Spitz was on the other side of them.  As I congratulated him the men did not discourage me. So I chatted a bit longer with Mark about the games. I believe one of the men looked like his coach. They might have been thinking...let him enjoy and let her chat. It might be one of the last conversations he has in Germany. Why? Because the Olympic Village was in shock that day. The air felt sad and heavy because the Israeli massacre had occurred in the Israeli dorm the night before. Such sadness. What timing. My meeting Mark was right after he broke many swimming records and won his seventh gold medal, more than anyone else. I learned later that he would miss much of the glory of an Olympic Champion because, within minutes of our meeting he was to return home to the USA as soon as possible. Those Olympic tickets are tickets that tell stories. They were signed right after two famous events, one tragic and one glorious, and right before a Seven Gold Medal Champion was whisked away.