The International
Olympic Committee has once again refused a request from the victims'
families to hold a moment of silence in their honor during the opening
ceremony of the 2012 games. Foreign Ministry: It's a shame they aren't
worried about the entire Olympic family

The International Olympic Committee
(IOC) rejected on Tuesday a request by the families of the Israeli athletes murdered in Munich
in 1972 to hold a moment of silence to mark 40 years since their
killin during the opening ceremony of this summer's games in London.




"The International Olympic Committee has held official memorials for
the athletes a number of times," wrote IOC President Jacques Rogge. "The
memory of the victims of the horrible killing in Munich in 1972 will
never fade in the Olympic family."
Rogge added that he "had
to" deny the request but said that the IOC would be present at the
memorial ceremonies organized by the Israeli delegation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon
has also voiced his support for an official moment of silence and a
month ago sent a letter to the IOC in which he wrote: "A moment of
silence will send a clear message that we must not forget the terrible
events 40 years ago in Munich, lest they happen again."



Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yigal Palmor characterized the IOC's denial as "polite but firm."




"It's a shame that the IOC isn't worried about the entire Olympic
family, since the awful attack was contrary to the Olympic spirit,"
Palmor added.
An IOC spokesman said
that he was working in close cooperation with the Israel Olympic
Committee on the memorial ceremony scheduled to take place in London
and said that the event would be the "most appropriate place" to
commemorate the Munich attack and that similar ceremonies were held at
every Olympic Games.
"The IOC has refused for 40 years, but I still hope that they will change their mind."




The Israel Olympic Committee said in response that "After 40 years,
it's time for the Olympic movement to recognize the 11 athletes,
coaches, and referees who were murdered during the games as victims of
the Olympic movement and the IOC. The right way to honor their memory
will be found."
"The Israel Olympic
Committee believes that the disaster is an inseparable part of the
Olympic movement. The IOC has a moral obligation to honor their memory
appropriately, and pass their legacy on to the new generation."
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