Shaping peace together through sport: IOC emphasises the unifying power of the Olympic Games

Ahead of the International Day of Peace, celebrated around the world this Monday, 21 September, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, has emphasised the power of sport.

“Sport contributes to peace by unifying people,” said the IOC President. “The Olympic Games today are the only event in our world which manages to really bring the entire world together. Athletes come to the Olympic Games respecting the same rules, all being equal, without any discrimination.”

“SHAPING PEACE TOGETHER”

“Shaping Peace Together” is the theme chosen to celebrate the International Day of Peace this year. The day also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN).

“The partnership between the UN and the IOC is based on the shared goal of contributing to peace,” said the IOC President. “We are cooperating with the UN on many different issues, and this is possible because we share the same values and we are united in the fight for peace and solidarity. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once said: ‘If there is a true symbol of peace in the world, it is the Olympic spirit.’”

SOLIDARITY AT THE HEART OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS RECOVERY

At a time when the world is battling against the COVID-19 pandemic, solidarity and friendship among nations have never been more important.

“This post-coronavirus world will be very different from the one we used to live in,” said Bach. “And I hope that we all have learned from this crisis that we need more solidarity, within societies and among societies. Only in this joint effort can we overcome this crisis and prevent a new crisis. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, which have been postponed to 2021, will send a message of hope, of peace and unity of humanity.

“Solidarity is not just about respecting each other, but also helping each other and being part of a community,” stressed President Bach. “And this is what these athletes and the National Olympic Committees are doing together with the IOC. We are supporting this principle, not only by organising the Olympic Games, but also by distributing 90 per cent of all our revenues to the development of sport worldwide in real Olympic solidarity.”

The original article can be found here.

Friday, 18 September 2020