The chief rabbi has issued a prayer to be read on the first Shabbat of the Olympic Games in memory of the victims of the 1972 Munich massacre.

Despite a petition signed by more than 99,000 people around the world, the International Olympic Committee has refused to hold a minute's silence to honour the 11 dead Israeli athletes.

But synagogues around Britain will be holding their own services next Shabbat – the day before the ninth of Av, one of the most sombre days in the Jewish calendar - to mark the 40th anniversary.

As part of the commemorations, Lord Sacks has supplied synagogues and communal groups with a prayer that recalls those who were "brutally murdered in an act of terrorism, because they were Israelis, because they were Jews".

The prayer reads: "At this time in the Jewish year, when we remember the destructions of our holy Temples, and the many tragedies that have befallen our people throughout history, we mourn their loss and continue to protest against those who hate our people."

The massacre, perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists, will also be commemorated at two events in London this summer, including a ceremony at Guildhall on August 6 and a plaque that is being unveiled in east London on July 22.

Ankie Spitzer, whose husband was killed in Munich, is to come to London next week to hand-deliver the petition to the IOC.

Full text of the prayer here