men 's decathlon combined event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on 7 & 8 September . The favorite was Joachim Kirst , who had won the European Championship in 1969 and 1971 . The decathletes were unfortunate , as they had to re-open the Olympics , the morning after the postponement due to the tragic events of the Munich massacre . As the events continued the favorite , Kirst , hit the third hurdle in the 110 metres and fell , dropping out of the race
Munich massacre
Munich massacre
Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's decathlon