Amitzur Shapira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amitzur Shapira
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| עמיצור שפירא | |
Amitzur Shapira and Esther Shachamarov in Munich 1972
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| Born | 9 July 1932 |
| Died | 6 September 1972 (aged 40) |
| Resting place | Kiryat Shaul cemetery |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Occupation | Sprinter, long jumper and track coach |
| Relatives | Shahak Shapira (grandson) |
Amitzur Shapira (Hebrew: עמיצור שפירא; July 9, 1932 – September 6, 1972) was an Israeli athlete. He was a sprinter and a long jumper. Later, he became the head coach for the Israeli track and field team. He coached at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. Sadly, he was one of the Israeli Olympic team members who tragically died during a hostage crisis at those Games.
Life and Career
Amitzur Shapira was born in Mandatory Palestine. This area is now known as Israel. He lived in the city of Herzliya. For many years, he worked as a teacher and educator. He taught at the Wingate Institute, which is a national center for physical education and sports. Shapira was married and had four children.
Coaching the Olympic Team
Shapira went to the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He was the main coach for the Israeli track and field team. He coached Esther Shachamarov, a talented athlete. She later became the first Israeli to reach an Olympic final in 1976. When Esther heard about the tragic events involving her coach, she decided to leave the 1972 Olympics.
Tragic Events in Munich
During the 1972 Olympics, Amitzur Shapira and ten other members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage. This happened when a group of armed individuals entered the Olympic Village. Two of the hostages were shot at the start of the event. The other nine, including Shapira, sadly lost their lives. This occurred during a rescue attempt at an airbase near Munich.
Legacy
Amitzur Shapira was buried in Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Tel Aviv. His grandson is Shahak Shapira, who is a German artist and comedian.
