UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Tuesday for the world to “lay down arms” during the 2024 Paris Olympics, celebrating building bridges for peace on a planet rife with conflict.
“These are also the ideals of the United Nations. In the spirit of the Olympic Truce, I call on everyone to lay down their arms. Build bridges. Promote solidarity. And fight for the ultimate goal: peace for all,” the Portuguese concluded.
Guterres’ message will be shown on video during the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday.
“The world is gathering in Paris to celebrate the power of sport, to bring hope, to unite people, to promote mutual respect and fair play,” he recalled.
The Olympic Truce, approved in November by the UN General Assembly, is set to begin a week before the start of the Olympic Games, which run from Friday to Aug. 11, and seven days after the Paralympic Games, which run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Although the Olympic Truce is now in effect, it is violated daily in Gaza, Ukraine and Congo – three examples of more than 30 ongoing armed conflicts spreading around the world.
“I wish Olympic and Paralympic athletes every success. You inspire us to dream big. May the Olympic flame light the way to peace and harmony,” concluded António Guterres.
Inspired by the ancient Greek tradition of “ekecheiria”, which required the cessation of all hostilities during the ancient Olympic Games, this truce was reintroduced by the UN in 1993 at the initiative of the International Olympic Committee.