The widows of two of the athletes murdered at the Munich Olympics 40 years ago are planning to come to London to deliver a petition for a minute’s silence in memory of the victims.

Ilana Romano and Ankie Spitzer hope to hand the document, which calls for an official tribute to the 11 Israelis and the West German policeman murdered by Palestinian terrorists in September 1972, to the IOC before the Games start next Friday.

Three months after Mrs Spitzer launched her campaign, the IOC remains steadfast in its refusal to hold a silence at the opening ceremony or during the Games. London 2012 chair Lord Coe has agreed to hold an unspecified “personal memorial”.

The petition, which has attracted more than 94,000 signatures around the world, has gained traction with Olympic fans in Britain and further afield, who have launched numerous social media campaigns urging Lord Coe and the IOC to reconsider.

Three thousand people have signed up for the Zionist Federation-organised “Minute for Munich” drive, asking for personal silences at 11am on the morning of the Opening Ceremony.

Other initiatives include a company selling a t-shirt with pictures of the victims, the Olympic logo and the slogan “Just One Minute”.