The United Nations General Assembly has called on nations to uphold the Olympic Truce during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, following repeated violations by Russia. The resolution, passed unanimously, highlights the truce as a means to promote peace, dialogue, and reconciliation. The plea comes four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted the 2022 Beijing Winter Games and sparked global condemnation.
At the recent U.N. General Assembly session, diplomats, the International Olympic Committee, and sports representatives applauded the resolution’s adoption. The document recalls the ancient Greek tradition of Ekecheiria, a tradition of peace during the Olympic Games, aiming to ensure safe passage for athletes and foster international unity.
Italy’s Giovanni Malagò, president of the organizing committee for the 2026 Games, introduced the resolution. He emphasized that the Olympic Games can offer hope amid global discord, providing an alternative to conflict and division. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry added that the Games can serve as a space where people come together as fellow human beings, not adversaries.
Coventry’s remarks came after a controversy when the Indonesian government denied visas to the Israel national gymnastics team, leading the IOC to halt discussions about Indonesia hosting future Olympics. She urged countries to keep sport and politics separate, ensuring athletes are judged by their merits, not their origins. This appeal is crucial as the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, scheduled for February 4 to 26 in Cortina and Milan.
Russia has violated the Olympic Truce three times in the past 14 years, including its 2008 conflict with Georgia and 2014 annexation of Crimea. Despite being barred from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to its Ukraine invasion, Russian athletes competed as neutral participants. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and the UN resolution’s aim to ensure the Olympics remain a peaceful event despite global conflicts.