The 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tuesday adopted a resolution for the observance of the Olympic Truce for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
The resolution calls for the Olympic Truce to be respected from seven days before the Olympic Games in July 2024 until seven days after the Paralympic Games.
The resolution was formally introduced to the General Assembly on behalf of the French government by Paris 2024 Organising Committee president Tony Estanguet.
It was agreed on by an overwhelming majority of 118 votes in favour, with 2 abstentions, and no votes against.
Of the 193 UN member states, 120 voted in the UNGA on the resolution, which received 118 votes in favour and none against, with Russia and Syria abstaining.
India was among the 73 nations that were absent from voting on the resolution.
In his introduction to the Session, which was delivered on his behalf by UNGA vice president Mohan Pieris, UNGA president Dennis Francis said: “Beyond their impact on development, sports are a powerful force for peace. The Olympic Games stand as a symbol of tolerance, peace and cooperation among diverse peoples, cultures and nations.” He commended the IOC “for its commitment and contribution to gender parity. By allocating an equal number of quota places to male and female athletes, the IOC is not only leading by example, but also signalling a stride towards closing the gender pay gap.”
Closing his speech, he said: “Let us continue working together to reiterate our commitment to the values of the Olympic Truce, fostering an environment where understanding and collaboration prevail over conflict and strife. As we champion the cause of sports, let us always be reminded of its transformative power, particularly among the youth who comprise the next generation of humans to inherit this planet. I sound the clarion call: sports for peace and prosperity.”
According to information on the UN website, Russia said that the decision of the International Olympic Committee to bar Russian athletes from participating in the Olympic Games is a politicised and discriminatory one.
The double standards and segregation based on nationality are a violation of basic human rights, the Russian delegate said.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said that in today’s fragile world, the Olympic Truce Resolution is more relevant than ever.
“The Olympic Games can only make this contribution to peace through a fundamental commitment to political neutrality and universality,” Bach said.
“Universality can only be achieved through solidarity. This is why we support all the athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees and from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. Solidarity means: in the Olympic Movement, there is no “global south” or “global north”. At the Olympic Games, we are all equal,” he added.
He further said that one of the aspects of non-discrimination is that athletes cannot be held responsible for the actions of their governments or their National Olympic Committees.
All athletes who are qualified on the field of play and are abiding by the rules of the Olympic Charter must have an opportunity to participate in international competitions.
“We are upholding this principle of non-discrimination also in the context of the violation of the Olympic Charter by the National Olympic Committee of Russia. We had to suspend them because they violated the territorial integrity of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, by including as their members sports organisations of Ukrainian regions,” Bach said.
He stressed that upholding all these Olympic values is the contribution that “we in the Olympic Movement can make to build a better and more peaceful world through sport”.
The text of the resolution notably:
Calls for “support for the International Olympic Committee in its efforts to promote peace and human understanding through sport and the Olympic ideal”
Acknowledges “that the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 will be a unifying event, […] welcoming all the delegations of National Olympic and Paralympic Committees athletes and the Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Teams admitted by the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee to participate in the Games”
Notes “with appreciation that the IOC has allocated the same number of quota places to male and female athletes”
Recalls “that, in its resolution 77/28, it supported the independence and autonomy of sport as well as the mission of the International Olympic Committee in leading the Olympic Movement […] and recognized the unifying and conciliative nature of Olympic Games, […] organized in the spirit of peace, mutual understanding, friendship, tolerance and inadmissibility of discrimination of any kind”
Acknowledges “the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter”
“Urges Member States to observe the Olympic Truce” in order “to ensure the safe passage, access and participation of athletes, officials and all other accredited persons taking part in the Games of the Olympiad and the Paralympic Games, and to contribute through other appropriate measures to the safe organisation of the Games”
Welcomes “the leadership of Olympic and Paralympic athletes in promoting peace and human understanding through sport and the Olympic ideal”
“Calls upon all Member States to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee in their efforts to use sport as a tool to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation in areas of conflict during and beyond the period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games”.
Estanguet spoke about the example that the Games and the athletes living together in the Olympic Village give in an ever more divided world:
“The Olympic Village, where thousands of athletes from all over the world live together peacefully, is the most symbolic representation of the universality of the Games. It is a place where, whatever your nationality, gender or skin colour, you can live in harmony, respecting others. The Village is humanity united in one place, in all its diversity. Like this United Nations General Assembly, of which you are the worthy representatives, the Village and its athletes help to show that a better world is possible.”
He concluded by pointing out Paris’ willingness to play its part in building a better world through sport: “Today we bring you a strong message, a universal message in favour of peace, according to the Ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic Truce.” He went on: “I stand before you humbled by the course of world events, but also with the deep conviction that, more than ever, sport has a role to play and can help us take a step towards a better world. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 are ready to play their part.”
The tradition of the Olympic Truce – “Ekecheiria” – has been to ensure a halt of all hostilities, allowing the safe passage and participation of athletes and spectators taking part in the Olympic Games. The resolution reaffirms that the Olympic values of peace, solidarity and respect are as important across the world today as they were over 3,000 years ago, when the ancient Olympic Games first took place in Greece.
The main objectives pursued by the IOC through the Olympic Truce are to mobilise young people for the promotion of the Olympic ideal, to use sport to help build bridges between communities in conflict, and, more generally, to create a window of opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024, and will be followed by the Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September 2024.
