The Olympic Truce and Vancouver 2010
The Olympic Games unite the world. No matter what country we’re watching them from, we all comprehend both the joy and sadness that come with sport. It’s heard in the roaring cheers from the crowd, seen in the waving of a nation’s flag or felt with tears shed in the sting of defeat.
Sport serves as a platform for peace by giving all nations and all competitors a common ground. Recognizing the need for peaceful sport, the Olympic Truce was established during the ancient Olympic Games in Greece. Originally known by the Greek word Ekecheiria, the ancient tradition of the Olympic Truce was revitalized in 1992 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Olympic Truce has since become a globally recognized title for inspiring peace through sport.
The Olympic Truce and Vancouver 2010
John Furlong, VANOC CEO The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games mark the first time Canada has been responsible for leading Olympic Truce efforts. Each Games has its own interpretation of the Olympic Truce. For Vancouver 2010, athletes will set aside their political, religious and social differences and compete on a level playing field in the pursuit of excellence. And to make this message more relevant to everyday individuals, beyond the athletes and participants, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) created the Make Your Peace Program.
Make Your Peace
The Make Your Peace Program extends the Olympic values of friendship and respect through an open invitation to make your peace. In essence, individuals are encouraged to create everyday peace at home, school, work and in the community, based on the belief that lasting peace starts at the local level.
On October 19,2009 the Government of Canada and VANOC presented the Olympic Truce resolution for the 2010 Winter Games at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York. In front of the UN, VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong introduced the resolution entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideals,” which was adopted by consensus by the 192 UN member nations.
“The Games are an opportunity for all of us to uphold sport as an inspirational means to promote a culture of peace among nations and people everywhere,” Furlong said. “Just like every athlete is held to account on the playing field where the values of respect, fair play and inclusion must prevail, we urge all UN member states to observe these values individually and collectively as we welcome the world to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February and March 2010.”
Safe Passage
Commemorating the truce ensures a peaceful environment and safe passage to, and participation of, athletes at the Games. It also serves to mobilize the youth of the world in the cause of peace. The Vancouver 2010 resolution also specifies that the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games will take place with the aim to uphold sport as an inspirational means to promote peace, inclusivity, indigenous participation, social and environmental responsibility, and meaningful legacies for future generations.
Truce Exhibition
On Tuesday, October 20, the 2010 Olympic Truce exhibition at the UN was unveiled. The exhibition will give a preview of VANOC’s interpretation of the truce “wall” traditionally incorporated in the athletes’ villages as a visual token of the Olympic Truce and the promises made.
