UN General Assembly Adopts Olympic Truce Resolution
On Monday, the UN General Assembly adopted the Olympic Truce Resolution for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will take place from 12 to 28 February and from 12 to 21 March 2010 respectively. Through this Resolution, the UN invites its member States to observe and promote peace before, during and after the Games in order to protect the interests of athletes and sport in general, and to contribute, through sport, to the search for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the world's conflicts.
The UN General Assembly welcomes the joint endeavors of the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and the United Nations system in such fields as human development, poverty alleviation, humanitarian assistance, health promotion and HIV & AIDS prevention, youth education, gender equality, peace-building, and sustainable development.
Furthermore it recalls also the relevant articles on leisure, recreation, sport, and play of international conventions including, inter alia, article 30 of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, recognizing the right of persons with disabilities to take part on an equal basis with others in cultural life, recreation, leisure, and sport.
"The Olympic Truce Resolution for the Vancouver 2010 Games solidifies the focus on athletes in competition, and further promotes the Paralympic values of Courage, Determination, Inspiration and Equality. Having a resolution for Vancouver gives Paralympic Sport and athletes with a disability the support and encouragement in bringing elite performances to the Games, while at the same time making a positive impact around the world”, said IPC President Sir Philip Craven.
Entitled "Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal", the Resolution was introduced by Canada on behalf of the IOC.
For the full text of the Resolution, please see the following link below:
