The United Nations General Assembly has confirmed that the Olympic Truce for the Tokyo 2020 Games will now be observed from July 16, 2021 to September 12, 2021. With the postponement, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad to 2021, the dates of the Truce have been modified accordingly.
The Ekecheira, an ancient Greek tradition established to ensure the cessation of hostilities, enabled athletes and spectators to take part in the Olympic Games in complete safety. It was customary for all conflicts to cease for the duration of this truce, which ran from the seventh day before the opening of the Games to the seventh day after their closing.
Adopted unanimously by 186 of the 193 member states of the United Nations in December 2019, the UN resolution entitled "Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal" reaffirms that the Olympic values of peace, solidarity and respect are as important in today's world as they were over 3,000 years ago.
"Through their support, governments around the world are once again underlining the unifying power of the Olympic Games." Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
According to the IOC President, this decision is a strong sign of confidence that these Olympic Games will be the light at the end of the dark tunnel in which humanity currently finds itself. "We are very grateful to all the governments for this expression of confidence in the Olympic Games," he said. Thomas Bach also pointed out that the athletes of the 206 National Olympic Committees and the Olympic Refugee Team formed by the IOC all enjoy the same rights and mutual respect, with the same rules applied to all without discrimination.
"We are pleased that the United Nations General Assembly has approved the change of dates to observe the Olympic Truce, in line with the new dates planned for the Tokyo 2020 Games." Yoshiro Mori, President of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee
The main objectives pursued by the IOC within the framework of the Olympic Truce are to mobilize young people to promote the Olympic ideal, to use sport to help build bridges between communities in conflict and, more generally, to create conditions conducive to dialogue and reconciliation.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 24 to September 5, 2021.