In 1971 , the IOC offered Rhodesia the opportunity to compete in the upcoming 1972 Summer Olympics if it did so with a British identity , which included using the flag of Southern Rhodesia and " God Save the Queen " as their anthem , as it had in 1964 . Host nation West Germany faced less pressure than Mexico and , having not been admitted to the United Nations , was not bound by Resolution 253 . Rhodesia agreed and sent 44 athletes in eight sports ( including a water polo squad ) to Munich in its largest and most diverse delegation . Another threat of boycott from African nations , however , led the IOC to withdraw Rhodesia 's invitation by a vote of 36 – 31 in favor , with three abstentions . The athletes were allowed to remain in the Olympic Village and attend their events , but were forbidden from participating . Following the Munich massacre , IOC President Avery Brundage compared the attacks to the political motivation behind the boycott , arguing that both were seeking to dampen the spirit of Olympism
Munich massacre
Munich massacre
Rhodesia at the Olympics