The UN calls for an Olympic Truce. The President of the UN General Assembly calls on the parties to the conflicts for the Olympic Truce UN
On February 6th, the Winter Olympic Games will start in Italy. The President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Burbock, called on all warring parties to agree to a “mutual ceasefire” during sports competitions, in accordance with the ancient principle of the Olympic Truce.
“The Olympic Truce proves that even in times of division, humanity can still find common ground through sport,” Burbock said.
“I call on all parties involved in current armed conflicts around the world to show resolve and agree to a genuine mutual ceasefire for the duration of the Olympic Truce,” she added.
Berbock recalled the ancient Greek tradition of ekeheiria, which translates as “Olympic truce.” She called it “the sacred principle of the Olympic Games.”
The former German Foreign Minister referred to a General Assembly resolution that calls on countries to observe a truce from the seventh day before the start of the Winter Olympic Games to the seventh day after the end of the Winter Paralympic Games.
“Through friendly competition, we can overcome differences,” Burbock said.
She noted that the upcoming games will be the most gender-balanced in history. The President of the General Assembly also added that the International Olympic Committee decided to raise the UN flag at the Olympic stadium and in the Olympic villages as a symbol of peace.