United Nations endorse Olympic Truce for Paris 2024
The 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has given its approval to a resolution endorsing the Olympic Truce for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Paris 2024 Organising Committee President Tony Estanguet welcomed this development.
The resolution, formally presented to the General Assembly by Tony Estanguet on behalf of the French Government, garnered an overwhelming majority of 118 votes in favor, with 2 abstentions, and no opposing votes.
President Bach addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, emphasizing the significance of the Olympic Truce in a world marked by confrontation and polarization. He highlighted the resolution’s theme, “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal,” as a testament to the shared values of the UN and the IOC.
President Bach stressed the role of the Olympic Games in promoting unity through peaceful competition, emphasizing the need for political neutrality and opposition to discrimination in sports. He expressed gratitude for the UN Member States’ recognition of Olympic values and the IOC’s leadership in the Olympic Movement.
The IOC President underscored the transformative power of sports, particularly in the context of the Olympic Agenda reforms, promising a more inclusive and sustainable Olympic Games Paris 2024 with full gender parity.
Calling on UN Member States to uphold the Olympic Truce, President Bach concluded with a plea: “Please: Give Peace a Chance!”
UNGA President Dennis Francis, in an address delivered by UNGA Vice President Mohan Pieris, praised the IOC’s commitment to gender parity and acknowledged the transformative power of sports for peace and prosperity.
The adopted resolution calls for the observance of the Olympic Truce from seven days before the Olympic Games in July 2024 until seven days after the Paralympic Games. It urges support for the IOC’s efforts to promote peace through sport and acknowledges the unifying nature of the Olympic Games.
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet, introducing the resolution, highlighted the symbolic unity within the Olympic Village, emphasizing its representation of diversity and harmony. He concluded by affirming Paris’ commitment to contributing to a better world through sport.
The Olympic Truce, rooted in the tradition of ensuring a cessation of hostilities during the Games, aims to promote peace, solidarity, and respect. The resolution reaffirms the enduring relevance of Olympic values in today’s world, emphasizing their importance in fostering dialogue and reconciliation.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 are scheduled to take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024, followed by the Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September 2024.
