Yesterday (21/11) the UN General Assembly called on all the countries of the world to respect the traditional “Olympic truce” on the occasion of the Paris Games next summer, holding a symbolic resolution, which was criticized by Russia which denounces ” political interference’ in sport.

The resolution, which was adopted by 118 votes to none and two abstentions (Russia and Syria), calls on member states to “respect the Olympic truce individually and collectively” seven days before the start of the Paris Olympics (July 26 until 11 August 2024) until seven days after the end of the Paralympic Games (28 August to 8 September).

The text prepared by France also underlines “the importance of cooperation between Member States to implement the values ​​of the Olympic Truce throughout the world”.

“I don’t remember a world facing so many confrontations, divisions, polarization,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach told the UN, asking “to send a clear message to the world: yes, we can come together even in times of wars and crises”.

“The Games have an extremely inspirational value because they highlight what we have in common rather than what divides us,” added Tony Estanget, head of the Paris Olympic organizing committee.

Inspired by the ancient Greek tradition of the “truce” that called for the cessation of all hostilities and war during the ancient Olympic Games, this “truce” was reinstated by the UN in 1993, at the initiative of the IOC.

Until now, it has always been adopted without a vote, by consensus, every two years before the Winter and Summer Games. However, Russia this year requested a vote, considering the absence of reference from the text to the “principles of equal and non-politicized access” to sporting events as “unacceptable”.

The IOC considers Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine a violation of the Olympic ceasefire linked to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and has therefore recommended that international federations ban their events from Russian soil, as well as any symbol of Russia – anthem or flag from the games.

“There is a dangerous trend of political interference in sport and its use as a means of political pressure,” complained Russian deputy ambassador to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya, describing the “discrimination” against Russian athletes as “hypocrisy and cynicism”.

“This is in no way discrimination against athletes, it is about respecting the rules of the Olympic Charter,” Thomas Bach replied to the press, while expressing his regret for Russia’s announcement of the 2024 event, in which he spoke of “friendly matches”.