The Olympic Museum to be lit up in blue to celebrate United Nations Day

The Olympic Museum, which was inaugurated in 1993, welcomes nearly 300.000 visitors per year. Some 3,000m2 of exhibition space, 1,500 objects, 150 audio-visual devices, 50 interactive screens, and 7 hours of sound and video celebrate humanity in movement. Its scenography is an invitation to dive into the history of the Games, the dreams, the culture, the design, the challenges and the values of Olympism.

On the occasion of UN Day, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in a video message which will be released on Saturday on the IOC’s social media channels.

“At the IOC we share the same values that define the UN: both our organisations are built on the values of peace and solidarity”, said Thomas Bach.

Talking about UN Day, the IOC President said: “This milestone takes place during unprecedented times when the entire world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The global coronavirus crisis is only the latest challenge that highlights why the UN and its mission to work towards a better and more peaceful world for all humankind, is more relevant than ever”.

“This is why I want to say thank you on behalf of the entire Olympic community,” Bach continued, addressing directly the UN Secretary-General and his organisation. “Thank you for everything you are doing to make the world a better place. In our uncertain times, this UN Day sends an important message of hope to the world: we are always stronger together.”

In January 2020, the United Nations launched a global consultation to mark its 75th anniversary. Through surveys and dialogues, people and organisations from across the world were asked about their hopes and fears for the future, their priorities for international cooperation and for the United Nations.

As of September 2020, more than a million people across the world had responded to the UN75 survey, including the IOC President, who also invited the Olympic Movement to join him in sharing its views as well.

The findings of this Global Dialogue have been taken into account by world leaders and resulted in the adoption of a political declaration during the high-level event of the 75th anniversary celebrations, on 21 September 2020.

The findings will also be discussed during a panel discussion on “the future we want, the UN we need” to be held on 27 October, during which the IOC President will address UN officials and member states.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter and it has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.

For more information on the IOC and UN collaboration, please click here.