Sports' McKay dies, told world of Munich tragedy

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sports broadcaster Jim McKay, who won international fame for his marathon coverage of the 1972 attack on Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics, has died, the ABC television network said on Saturday. He was 86.

McKay hosted 12 Olympic Games and ABC's "Wide World of Sports" television show for 37 years, from its beginning in 1961 until 1998. His "the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat" introduction to the Saturday afternoon program became an indelible part of U.S. pop culture.

But his Olympics coverage made him one of the world's most recognized sports personalities, especially his reports on the Black September attack on the Israeli team at the 1972 Munich Games, which led to the deaths of 11 Israelis, one German policeman and five of the eight attackers.

When it became apparent all the hostages had been killed, McKay, looking haggard, addressed the camera and memorably announced, "They're all gone." He said later it was the most difficult thing he had ever done on television.

McKay had gone for a morning swim when he heard gunshots had been fired in the Olympic Village, so he threw his clothes on over his swimsuit and ran to the ABC studio, where he stayed on the air for 16 hours to describe the attacks.

McKay received two of his 13 U.S. television Emmy awards for his coverage of the 1972 Olympics, as well as the year's George Polk Memorial Award, given to one journalist whose work represents the best reporting of the year. The West German government also honored him for his coverage of the story.

In 2002, McKay received the International Olympic Committee's highest honor, the Olympic Order.

"There are no superlatives that can adequately honor Jim McKay. He meant so much to so many people. He was a founding father of sports television, one of the most respected commentators in the history of broadcasting and journalism," ESPN and ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer said in a statement on ABC's ESPN cable sports network's Web site.

McKay was the only broadcaster to win Emmys for sports and news broadcasting and for writing, ABC said. He was the first U.S. network sports commentator to visit China. A huge fan of horse racing and an owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses, McKay in 2001 received the Eclipse Award of Merit for his achievements in thoroughbred racing.

McKay was born Jim McManus on September 24, 1921, and served as a U.S. Navy officer during World War Two. He died of natural causes at his home in Monkton, Maryland, ABC said, citing a family statement.

McKay's survivors include his wife, Margaret, his daughter, Mary, and his son, Sean McManus, who is president of CBS News and Sports.

(Editing by Peter Cooney)