IOC President stresses importance of unity and solidarity as UN General Assembly adopts Olympic Truce for Tokyo 2020 by consensus

STORY SCRIPT:

The 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly today approved a resolution for the observance of the Olympic Truce for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 next summer. The resolution was “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic Ideal”.

Speaking to the General Assembly in New York following the adoption of the resolution, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach reiterated the importance of the values of peace, solidarity and respect:

“In our fragile world, we see our shared values and principles challenged in many ways, not only in the international community but also in sport” said the IOC President. “The IOC is fully committed to preserve and strengthen these values and principles of respect for the rule of law, solidarity and political neutrality”.

The resolution calls for the Olympic Truce to be respected from seven days before the start of the Olympic Games in July 2020 until seven days after the Paralympic Games, and to use this opportunity to harness sport to foster and encourage concrete action that promotes dialogue and reconciliation during the Games and beyond.