United Nations adopt Olympic Truce as PyeongChang 2018 pledge to host safe Games

New York (RWH) In a strong sign of confidence of the Member States of the United Nations in the upcoming Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic Ideal” by consensus. The consensus for the Olympic Truce resolution included both the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea as well as the future hosts of the Olympic Games: Japan, China, France and the United States of America.

The resolution calls on the nations of the world to uphold the Olympic Truce for the time of the Olympic Winter Games. The first operative clause of the resolution specifically asks Member States “to ensure the safe passage, access and participation of athletes, officials and all other accredited persons taking part in the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games”. This specific call is especially important, given the time and place of these Olympic Winter Games, the IOC said in a press Release from New York (USA).  

Following the adoption of the resolution, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “For the athletes who will gather in PyeongChang for the Olympic Winter Games, this resolution will carry a special significance, a deeply personal one. With the Olympic Truce resolution, the United Nations General Assembly is creating the conditions for all athletes to compete in peace. Only the UN Member States can guarantee the athletes a safe passage to the Olympic Games. They make it possible for all the Olympic athletes to realise their dream of a lifetime.”