Olympic Truce

The tradition of the Olympic Truce dates back to the 9th century BC, in Ancient Greece.

During the Truce period, the athletes, artists and their families, as well as ordinary pilgrims, could travel in total safety to participate in or attend the Olympic Games and return afterwards to their respective countries.

Taking into account the global political reality in which sport and the Olympic Games exist, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to revive the ancient concept of the Olympic Truce with the view to protecting, as far as possible, the interests of the athletes and sport in general, and to contribute to searching for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the conflicts around the world.

Through this global and symbolic concept, the IOC aims to:
• raise awareness and encourage political leaders to act in favour of peace;
• mobilize youth for the promotion of the Olympic ideals;
• establish contacts between communities in conflict;
• offer humanitarian support in countries at war.

Visit the IOC website for more information on the Olympic Truce.

Content courtesy of the IOC.