Members of Israel's 2016 Olympic team paid their respects on Wednesday at a memorial ceremony for the 11 Israeli athletes killed at the Munich Olympics in 1972. Two members of the Israeli team -- gymnast Neta Rivkin, who will be Israel's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, and windsurfer Shahar Tzuberi -- laid a wreath at a memorial monument during the ceremony in Tel Aviv that was also attended by relatives of those killed. Before heading for Brazil, the 47-strong team convened at a sports club in central Israel to pose for team photographs alongside Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev. Former judo world champion Yarden Gerbi was among those hoping for success in Rio. "The competition in judo can end very fast, you can lose and win in one second, so it's a very complicated day -- but my main thing is to fight each moment on the mat and to be the best I can, to be strong-minded, and I believe in myself," the 27-year-old said. Tzuberi, a 29-year-old Beijing bronze medalist windsurfer, said, "It's a great feeling being here at this time and seeing all the great athletes that Israel has. And I guess my chances this year, they are pretty good but the competition is tough." On Sept. 5, 1972, Israeli Olympic team members were taken hostage at the athletes' village by Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group. Within 24 hours, 11 Israeli athletes, five Palestinian terrorists and a German policeman were dead after a standoff and subsequent rescue effort erupted into gunfire.
