The United Nations General Assembly has urged all member nations to uphold the Olympic Truce during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, following Russia’s repeated violations of the tradition in past games. This resolution, adopted by consensus, encourages a ceasefire during the sporting event to promote peace, dialogue, and reconciliation.
During the General Assembly meeting, diplomats, the International Olympic Committee, and sports representatives welcomed the resolution, underscoring the importance of the Olympic Truce as a means to foster global unity. The initiative recalls the ancient Greek tradition of Ekecheiria, which was designed to ensure safe passage and participation of athletes from all nations.
Italy’s Giovanni Malagò, head of the organizing committee, highlighted the potential of the Olympic Games to serve as a beacon of hope in a world marked by increasing tensions and conflicts. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the need to separate sport from politics, ensuring athletes are not denied visas on politically motivated grounds.
Recent controversies, such as the Indonesian government’s denial of visas to the Israeli gymnastics team, have reinforced the call for impartial treatment of athletes. The resolution also addresses Russia’s history of violating the Olympic Truce, including conflicts with Georgia and Ukraine, which led to its exclusion from the 2024 Paris Olympics.