The IOC will contribute up to $250,000 "toward a proposed memorial for the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre," according to Kassian Stroh of SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG. The Bavarian state government "has found a well-known supporter for the proposed memorial." The IOC's commitment "was revealed in a letter from German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB) General Dir Michael Vesper to Bavarian Culture Minister Ludwid Spaenle." Spaenle: "For me it would have been great if the IOC would have supported the idea spiritually." He added the fact that the IOC now contributes financially is a "very respectable step." So far, "only two memorial boulders remind of the tragedy." The proposed memorial will have a price tag of about €1.7M ($2.3M). The federal government will contribute €350,000 ($475,000), while the city and state "will each contribute six-digit sums." The DOSB announced last week that it will pay €20,000 ($27,000) toward the memorial. The culture ministry has launched a design competition, which is currently accepting submissions. A jury "is expected to decide on the design in September." The memorial, which will also include an exhibition, "is expected to open in Sept. '16" (SZ, 6/4).
