Families of the dead have lead a growing campaign to hold a minute of silence during the London 2012 opening ceremony to remember the dead on the 40th anniversary of the killing. The cause has been steadily garnering international support, with the German Foreign Ministry, the Israeli government, American congressmen and the European Jewish Parliament adding their voices to those urging the International Olympic Committee to go back on their initial rejection of the proposal.

 

Widow of 1972 victim Ilana Romano:

 

"We think that a minute of silence must take place (in the Olympic games) for one reason: this is a condemnation of terror and a commemoration. And one cannot deny history and the terrible murder that happened during the Olympic Games."

 

Although the IOC attends memorial services for the 1972 victims, it has yet to stage its own.  The Committee has assured campaigners that the Munich dead will not be forgotten and that commemorative events will be held in London over the Olympic period.

 

Source: JN1