A trip that was tainted by an event that caught the world by surprise began as a dream, and ended in a bronze medal for a man who has dedicated his life to helping students.

“I think in psychological terms, they talk about those experiences where things are just happening right and it’s just a good experience. And that was one of those,” said Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs.

“It was at least as good as you thought it would be, if not better.”

Hill won bronze in the 110-meter high hurdles during the 1972 Olympic Games held in Munich, Germany.

But being able to compete was up in the air for athletes in the games after 11 Israeli athletes were taken hostage by a group of Palestinians in the Olympic Village in the early-morning hours of Sept. 5.

He said many people, including himself, were angry that people would use the Olympics to make a political statement.

“We were disappointed, somewhat angry that someone would use that event – that venue – to advance their political ideology,” he said.

“We really thought that was inappropriate.”

With the release of Steven Spielberg’s latest movie, “Munich,” attention has turned again to the events and aftermath of an event that turned out to be the worst tragedy in Olympic history. And although some critics have praised the movie, others have said it distorts history.

In the Jan. 11 issue of USA Today, Michael Medved, a film critic, denounced the movie, saying it treats the Black September terrorists and the Israeli assassins equally.

“It deliberately blurs distinctions between those who commit terrorism and those who combat it,” his review said.

But Hill said he would go to the film, because the buzz surrounding it has re-sparked his interest about what happened.

Hill said he was in the dark during the 18-hour conflict, because he couldn’t easily get information about what was happening.

“I was right there,” Hill said. “I was in Munich – in the Olympic Village – within 200 meters or so from the thing and I’m reading accounts of what happened. I’m realizing how little I knew about what was going on.”

Hill had mixed feelings after he learned that the hostages had been taken.

“You’re kind of back-and-forth,” he said. “On one hand, you’re kind of upset [that you can’t compete]. But on the other hand, you’re kind of like, ‘Well dang, if the worst that happens to me is that I can’t run, that pales in comparison to the folks that not only can’t compete, but they’re dead.'”

Concentrating on his race was something Hill said he had to try to do.

“You want to remain focused,” he said. “But you still want to know what’s going on, because you are honestly concerned that something may happen to you. That crossed your mind.”

Hill added that he was glad when the decision was made to continue.

“I began to believe that the games should go on because if they didn’t, the terrorists would have clearly won this thing,” he said. “And so you think, ‘What would you accomplish by discontinuing the games?’ Well, you almost encourage them.”

After the games continued, Hill said he empathized with the athletes who died during the failed rescue attempt.

“My heart went out to the athletes who lost their lives.” he said. “Because they went to the Olympic Games to compete. And you could imagine, you’re going to compete. You’re going to run, you’re going to wrestle, you’re going to play ball or whatever, and you wind up having to deal with people who are coming in, taking you as a hostage and shooting you. Killing you. Those kinds of things. You’re not ready for that.”

1972 Olympic Timeline of Events:

– Eight Palestinian terrorists stormed the Olympic village in Munich, Germany, raiding the apartment building that housed the Israeli contingent. Two Israeli athletes were killed and nine were taken as hostages.

– The Palestinian terrorists demanded the release of more than 200 Palestinians housed in Israeli jails.

– After a day of unsuccessful negotiations, the terrorists took the hostages to the military airport in Munich for a flight to the Middle East.

– At the airport, German sharpshooters opened fire, killing three of the Palestinians. The shootout claimed the lives of all nine of the hostages, one German policeman and two terrorists.

— Athletic competition was suspended 24 hours.

– A day of mourning was held, in which more than 80,000 spectators gathered in the Olympic stadium.

– In a controversial decision, International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage declared, “the Games must go on.”

– Compiled by Jeff Lewis from Associated Press, Time Magazine and The New York Times reports.