Iconic U.S. marathoner witnessed '72 Olympics terrorism and survived Boston bombings

 

Kudos to CNN for tracking down the story of master marathoner Frank Shorter, who witnessed the 1972 Olympics terrorist attacks and, more than 40 year later, survived the Boston bombings.

In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Shorter recalled the “horrific” scene in ’72 when Palestinian terrorists abducted and killed several Israeli athletes. The scene unfolded on a balcony across the courtyard from American athletes’ housing quarters, and Shorter heard the gunshots that initiated the assault.

To this day, Shorter, now 65, remains an iconic long-distance runner, an inspiration for decades of U.S. marathoners.

Shorter said he knew that the 26-mile marathon route near Munich would present a prime opportunity for a second terrorist attack. But he maintained his composure and his emotions and, five days later, won the Olympic marathon for the U.S.

On Monday, Shorter, after completing the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon, and had stepped away from downtown Boston's Copley Square. But he was still within 40 yards as he saw the second bomb explode.

“My first thought was, oh no, oh no, oh no,” Shorter soberly told CNN.