Olympic Movement promotes peace worldwide

Furthering the peace cause today

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) actively pursues the goals of protecting the interests of the athletes and sport in general, and contributing to the search for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the conflicts around the world.

Through the International Olympic Truce Foundation, the IOC aims to:

• Encourage political leaders to act in favour of peace

• Organise conferences on sport and peace

• Mobilise young people for the promotion of the Olympic ideals

• Develop initiatives with other organisations specialising in the field of peace, including the United Nations

• Develop educational and research programmes to promote the Olympic Truce

And more generally:

• Create a window of opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation, separate from any religious, economic or political influence.

The dove, symbol of peace

The Olympic Truce is symbolised by the dove with the traditional Olympic flame in the background. In a world that is plagued by wars and animosity, the dove represents the IOC's goal to build a peaceful and better world through sport.

“By throwing a bridge over continents, by standing above differences of race, social regime or political system, [the Olympic Movement] can bring hope and togetherness so often and so deeply torn apart,” says IOC President Jacques Rogge, who chairs the Olympic Truce Foundation.

Respect

The "Olympic Truce" was established in ancient Greece in the 9th century BC by the signature of a treaty between three kings. During the Truce period, athletes, artists and their families could travel in total safety to participate in or attend the Olympic Games and return afterwards to their respective countries.