OLYMPIC TRUCE UPDATE - JULY 2008

THE SYMBOL MISSION The Olympic Truce is symbolised by the dove of “The goal of Olympism is to place everywhere peace, with the traditional Olympic flame in the sport at the service of the harmonious background. In a world plagued by wars and development of man, with a view to encouraging animosity, the peace-dove symbol represents the establishment of a peaceful society one of the IOC's ideals and challenges: to build concerned with the preservation of human a peaceful and better world through sport and dignity.” (Fundamental Principles, Olympic the Olympic ideal. The Olympic flame has Charter). brought warm friendship to all the people of the world through sharing and togetherness. In the In this third millennium, the IOC is more symbol, the flame is made up of colourful convinced than ever of the positive role that effervescent elements – evoking the joy sport can, and must, play as a catalyst in our experienced in the celebration of the human society. It unites and teaches about respect and spirit. These elements represent people of all tolerance, two values that are essential in races coming together for the observance of the today’s world. Truce.

THE SACRED TRUCE IN THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE ANTIQUITY OLYMPIC TRUCE INTO THE The tradition of the “Olympic Truce” or MODERN GAMES “Ekecheiria” was established in Ancient Greece Taking into account the new political reality in in the 9th century B.C. by the signature of a which sport and the exist, the treaty between three kings: Iphitos of Elis, IOC decided to revive the concept of the Cleosthenes of Pisa and Lycurgus of Sparta. Olympic Truce on the occasion of the Olympic

Games, with a view to protecting, as far as Subsequently, all the other Greek cities ratified possible, the interests of the athletes and sport this “international agreement”, thanks to which in general, and to contribute to the search for permanent, recognised immunity of the peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the world’s sanctuary of Olympia and the region of Elis conflicts. The first Olympic Truce project was became a reality. During the Truce period, the launched in 1991, following the break-up of the athletes, artists and their families, as well as Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the creation ordinary pilgrims, could travel in total safety to of the (UN) Security Council participate in or attend the Olympic Games and Sanctions Committee against this country, as a return afterwards to their respective countries. result of which, in 1992, its Resolution 757 As the opening of the Games approached, the included “sport” as a sanctioned element for the sacred truce was proclaimed and announced by first time. After several consultations, the IOC, the Spondophoroi, citizens of Elis who travelled as a centennial institution, opted to reaffirm its throughout Greece to pass on the message. independence, defend the athletes’ interests, Proof that this Truce was respected is that, in protect the Olympic Games and consolidate the Olympia, the Greeks never built walls to protect unity of the Olympic Movement. themselves, unlike all the other Greek cities.

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On the advice of the Executive Board, on 21 Torch Relay. At the Opening Ceremony, the July 1992 the 99th IOC Session launched a call South and North Korean delegations paraded to all States, as well as all international and together under the flag of the Korean peninsula. national organisations, and asked the IOC President to start talks with the UN. Finally, the UN Security Council Sanctions The UN International Day of Peace was Committee and the IOC reached an agreement celebrated on 19 September in Sydney, with the enabling the Yugoslav athletes to take part as broadcast of a message from at all individuals in the Games of the XXV Olympiad the Olympic venues. in 1992 in Barcelona. In Athens, the Olympic Games – and the symbol of the Olympic Truce – went back to their MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF country of origin. The Olympic Truce and UN flags were flown at the Olympic Village, and UNITED NATIONS SUPPORT various events in support of the Olympic Truce Since 1993, the UN General Assembly has took place. repeatedly expressed its support for the IOC by unanimously adopting, every two years, a year In Turin 2006, the Games organisers and their before each edition of the Olympic Games, a partners organised a programme of initiatives to resolution entitled "Building a peaceful and promote and raise awareness of the Olympic better world through sport and the Olympic Truce and the values it expresses. Olympic ideal". Through this (symbolic) resolution, the Truce Walls were placed in three Olympic UN invites its member States to observe the Villages in Turin, Bardonecchia and Sestriere. Olympic Truce individually or collectively, and to Several Olympic medallists signed the Athletes’ seek, in conformity with the goals and principles Signature Book. of the United Nations Charter, the peaceful settling of all international conflicts through peaceful and diplomatic means, recognising the importance of the IOC’s initiatives for human THE INTERNATIONAL well-being and international understanding. OLYMPIC TRUCE

At the dawn of the XX Olympic Winter Games in FOUNDATION Turin, in November 2005, the 60th Session of In the framework of promoting peace through the UN General Assembly adopted the seventh sport and the Olympic ideal, the IOC established Resolution on the Olympic Truce. an International Olympic Truce Foundation (IOTF) in July 2000. Its headquarters are in The 31th October 2007, The 62nd Session of Lausanne, and it has a symbolic office in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Olympia. The IOTF defines its actions around adopted the Olympic Truce Resolution for the the following objectives: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Text of the resolution • To promote the Olympic ideals to serve

peace, friendship and understanding in the

world, and in particular, to promote the THE OLYMPIC TRUCE DURING ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic THE OLYMPIC GAMES Truce; Six years ago, a few days before the Sydney Games were opened, UN Secretary General • To initiate conflict prevention and resolution Kofi Annan launched an appeal underlining the through sport, culture and the Olympic importance of the Olympic Truce in the context ideals, particularly by cooperating with all of promoting world peace. Also in Sydney, a inter- and non-governmental organisations soldier from the Timor Leste peacekeeping force specialised in this field, by developing and a UN volunteer took part in the Olympic educational and research programmes, and Olympic Truce / 07 July 2008 Page 2/3

by launching communications campaigns to promote the Olympic Truce.

The IOTF is administered by a Foundation Board composed of personalities from the world of sports and politics, and meets once a year (under the chairmanship of IOC President Jacques Rogge).

To meet its objectives, the IOTF has established an International Olympic Truce Centre (IOTC), which is responsible for implementing projects related to the worldwide promotion of a culture of peace through sport and the Olympic ideal, in accordance with the principles and policies established by the Foundation. The Centre's main headquarters are in Athens, Greece, with a liaison office in Lausanne, Switzerland, and a symbolic office in Olympia.

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OLYMPIC TRUCE July 2008

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