Lalkin was in charge of the Israeli Olympic team during the Munich Massacre.

During the tragedy, 11 Israeli athletes and officials and one West German policeman were murdered. 

On the day of the murders, Lalkin delivered a speech at the Munich Olympic Stadium and announced Israel would continue to participate in the Games despite the attack. 

He also gave a speech at the unveiling of the Munich Massacre Memorial in September 2017.

Lalkin had also been Israel's Chef de Mission at Mexico 1968, Montreal 1976 and Los Angeles 1984.

He headed the Israel Sport Federation for 33 years between 1962 and 1995 and was considered one of the most influential figures in Israeli sport. 

"The Olympic community will always honour him for his unwavering belief in the unifying power of sport, despite witnessing one of the darkest moments in our history during the deadly attacks on the Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games Munich 1972," Bach said. 

"I will remember him for his moving speech at the remembrance ceremony in 2017."

A group of eight Palestinians from the Black September group had raided the Munich Olympic Village on September 5 in 1972. 

They infiltrated the Israeli living quarters and killed an Israeli weightlifter and wrestling coach before taking nine others hostage. 

The Palestinian attackers demanded the release of prisoners held by Israel and two left-wing extremists in West German jails, proving their resolve by castrating one of the Israelis before he was shot dead.

A lengthy negotiation with West German authorities ensued, with much of the drama unfolding on live television. 

The kidnappers were transferred to an airfield, along with their hostages, under the guise of officials meeting their demands. 

But amid a failed West German rescue attempt, the Palestinian kidnappers opened fire on their hostages and hurled a grenade inside one of the helicopters in which the Israelis were bound. 

Five of the kidnappers were also killed.  

The Games were put on hold for 34 hours but resumed upon the decision of IOC President Avery Brundage, who already faced charges of anti-Semitism for his instrumental role in the 1936 Olympics and close ties to Nazi officials.

His decision received heavy criticism.  

Lalkin has played table tennis and volleyball in his youth and also served in the Israeli military.