The Basis for Calling the Olympics a “Festival of Peace”
The Paris Olympics are about to begin. In some events, competitions have already started without waiting for the opening ceremony. A “festival of peace” where athletes from around the world gather. The performances of the well-trained athletes from various countries always provide us with a lot of inspiration, but what kind of drama will this tournament present?
By the way, I write “festival of peace” without any foreword; why is the Olympics called a festival of peace? And is the Olympics really a festival of peace? In light of the upcoming Paris Olympics, I would like to delve into the relationship between the Olympics and peace by reflecting on past events.
＞＞【Photo】Terrorists held athletes and coaches hostage in the Munich Olympics, among others.
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In fact, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) itself does not explicitly state that “the Olympics is a festival of peace.” This phrase seems to have originally been used mainly by the media and spread thereafter.
Of course, this terminology was not used without basis. The largest reason for it lies in the words contained in the “Olympic Charter,” specifically in the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism.” It states as follows.
“The aim of Olympism is to utilize sport to promote the balanced development of humanity with a focus on promoting a peaceful society that emphasizes human dignity.”
Additionally, there is another significant basis: the “Olympic Truce.” The Olympic Truce is an international agreement to observe a ceasefire during the period of the Olympics and Paralympics (specifically, from seven days before the opening of the Olympics until seven days after the closing of the Paralympics), even in times of war and conflict.
It was initiated by the IOC in 1992, adopted as a United Nations resolution in 1993, and has been implemented since the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic and Paralympic Games (Winter).