PARIS: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on nations worldwide to cease armed conflicts in support of the Olympic truce as the Paris 2024 Olympics are set to commence later on Friday (today).
In a meeting with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, Guterres highlighted the Games as a symbol of peace.
“I want to express the full support of the United Nations to the IOC,” Guterres said. “We are living in a deeply divided world with escalating conflicts.”
He referenced the severe suffering in Gaza, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and crises from Sudan to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and from the Sahel to Myanmar.
Guterres noted that the Olympic truce, a historical initiative from ancient Greece, called for a cessation of hostilities during the Games. “It is essential to remind the world of the Olympic truce’s significance and to call for the silencing of weapons,” he said.
The Games will begin later today and continue until August 11, featuring over 10,500 athletes from 206 nations and territories. This includes a Palestinian team, which, while not a full UN member, has an official national Olympic Committee, and athletes from Russia and Belarus, who will compete as neutrals due to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Guterres urged countries to unite with the same spirit of camaraderie that will be displayed by athletes during the Olympics.
As the world gathers to celebrate sport as a way to foster hope, unite people & promote mutual respect, I wish every success to the Olympians & Paralympians gathering in #Paris2024.
May the Olympic flame light the path to a world of peace & harmony. pic.twitter.com/XrhJSqRDfO
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 26, 2024
