UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONFIRMS NEW DATES FOR THE OBSERVATION PERIOD OF THE OLYMPIC TRUCE The United Nations (UN) General Assembly yesterday confirmed that the Olympic Truce for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will now be observed from 16 July 2021 (seven days before the opening of the Olympic Games) to 12 September 2021 (seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games). The announcement of the new date of the Olympic truce was made after the games were postponed for a year and according to the new schedule, it will be held from July 23 to August 8. Speaking after the confirmation, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said: “With their support, the governments of the world are emphasising once more the unifying power of the Olympic Games. The Games are a celebration of the unity of humankind in all our diversity. Athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team all enjoy the same rights, respecting each other and with the same rules applying to everyone without any kind of discrimination. This decision is also a strong sign of confidence that these Olympic Games will be the light at the end of the dark tunnel humankind is currently going through. We are very grateful to all the governments for this expression of trust in the Olympic Games.” The Olympic Truce is a tradition originating from Ancient Greece that dates back to 776 BC. In 1992, the International Olympic Committee renewed this tradition by calling upon all nations to observe the Truce during the modern Games. The Truce was revived by United Nations Resolution 48/1. After that every two years, before the start of the Summer and Winter Games, at the initiative of the host countries, the United Nations announces the date of the Olympic truce.