The revelation was made by the Jewish Chronicle, who state that Coe told staff at City Hall he was going to mark the anniversary of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes during a "personal moment" at the Ceremony.

There has been a long running campaign led by Ankie Spitzer, widow of the Israeli fencing coach Andrei Spitzer, which has called for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to hold a minute's silence during Opening Ceremonies.

A supportive Early Day Motion in the British Parliament has attracted 54 signatures to date and has significant cross party support.

Politicians from a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany, have all supported the call for a minute's silence.


The IOC have previously declined to hold the silence and point to a commemoration in honour of the dead the day after the tragedy at Munich's Olympic Stadium.

The Israeli Olympic Committee (OCI) host a memorial ceremony at each Games, at which IOC representation is always present.

There is also a statue in memory of the athletes in the Olympic Museum in Switzerland.

The 11 athletes were murdered by Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group, who climbed the walls of the Athletes' Village and took some of the Israeli delegation hostage.

Following a stand off, the 11 athletes and a German policeman were murdered by the group, sending shockwaves around the world. 

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