The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) is pleased to announce that the United Nations General Assembly yesterday approved proposed changes in the target period of the resolution calling for an Olympic Truce. Entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic spirit,” the resolution was first adopted in December 2019 with respect to the previously scheduled dates for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. It has now been re-adopted for the corresponding period next year, when the Olympic Truce will be observed from 16 July 2021 (seven days before the opening of the Olympic Games) to 12 September 2021 (seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games).
Tokyo 2020 President MORI Yoshiro commented, “We welcome the United Nations General Assembly’s approval of the change in the observation period of the Olympic Truce to next summer, in accordance with the new scheduled dates for the Tokyo 2020 Games. As the worldwide spread of COVID-19 brings further difficulties to regions already struggling with conflict, we continue to place hope in the power of sport to bring people around the world together and help achieve peace. Inspired by the adoption of this updated resolution, we will make all the more effort to utilise the priceless opportunity presented by the Tokyo 2020 Games to help build a peaceful and better world through sports.”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas BACH commented, “With their support, the governments of the world are emphasising once more the unifying power of the Olympic Games. The Games are a celebration of the unity of humankind in all our diversity. Athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team all enjoy the same rights, respecting each other and with the same rules applying to everyone without any kind of discrimination. This decision is also a strong sign of confidence that these Olympic Games will be the light at the end of the dark tunnel humankind is currently going through. We are very grateful to all the governments for this expression of trust in the Olympic Games.”
Tokyo 2020 President MORI Yoshiro commented, “We welcome the United Nations General Assembly’s approval of the change in the observation period of the Olympic Truce to next summer, in accordance with the new scheduled dates for the Tokyo 2020 Games. As the worldwide spread of COVID-19 brings further difficulties to regions already struggling with conflict, we continue to place hope in the power of sport to bring people around the world together and help achieve peace. Inspired by the adoption of this updated resolution, we will make all the more effort to utilise the priceless opportunity presented by the Tokyo 2020 Games to help build a peaceful and better world through sports.”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas BACH commented, “With their support, the governments of the world are emphasising once more the unifying power of the Olympic Games. The Games are a celebration of the unity of humankind in all our diversity. Athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team all enjoy the same rights, respecting each other and with the same rules applying to everyone without any kind of discrimination. This decision is also a strong sign of confidence that these Olympic Games will be the light at the end of the dark tunnel humankind is currently going through. We are very grateful to all the governments for this expression of trust in the Olympic Games.”