The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, met with the United Nations (UN) secretary-general António Guterres on Nov. 20 before presenting the Olympic Truce draft resolution to the UN. The two leaders discussed the current issues in the world’s geopolitical situation, and both stressed the contribution of sport to promoting peace. They also pointed to the importance of political neutrality and the autonomy of sports, which means that “sports events must be run by sports organizations and not by governments.”
Bach and the president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee President, Tony Estanguet, welcomed on Nov. 21 the adoption by the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly of a resolution for the observance of the Olympic Truce for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Paris 2024 will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024, and the Paralympic Games will follow from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2024. The resolution calls for respect for the Olympic Truce from seven days before the Olympic Games until seven days after the Paralympic Games. The tradition of the Olympic Truce dates back to Ancient Greece. It was established to halt all hostilities and allow the safe passage of athletes and spectators participating in the Olympic Games. The IOC decided to revive that tradition to protect athletes and sport and to harness the power of sport to promote dialogue and peace.
