The ancient 9th Century BC Greek tradition of Ekecheiria (“Olympic Truce”), calls for a truce during the Olympic Games to encourage a peaceful environment and ensure safe passage and participation of athletes and relevant persons at the Games, thus mobilising the youth of the world in support of peace.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revived the Truce in 1992 and the first United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution was passed. It is renewed every two years in advance of the summer and winter Games.

The Olympic Truce means a peaceful period for

athletes and spectators to travel to and from the Olympic Games safely.The Olympic Truce allows athletes, artists and

spectators to travel to Olympia, to participate in peaceful competition, and to return home in safety.

In Geneva, on the same day that the Olympic Truce Resolution was adopted, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met Lord Bates who is "walking for truce" from Mount Olympus in Greece to London.Ban Ki-moon praised Lord Bates for raising awareness of the Truce and as highlighting the fact that everyone has the possibility to make a personal contribution to peace. Ban Ki-moon said that he hoped that London 2012 would provide great momentum to solving the many conflicts which face the world.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is organising truce activities in the UK including

Get Set for the Olympic Truce which encourages young people across the UK to learn about the history of the Olympic Truce, to debate and discuss what the Olympic Truce means to their lives and to undertake an activity to promote peace within their school or community. Materials are being promoted to over 20,000 schools registered with Get Set.

The FCO with partners is promoting the ideals of the Olympic Truce internationally under the themes of:Local solutions to local problems: Preventing conflict and building peace requires the involvement of the local communities who are most affected. We are looking for opportunities to work with host governments, communities, faith groups, civil society and the media to build relationships across boundaries.

In 1992 the Olympic Truce helped the athletes from the former Republic of Yugoslavia to take part in the Olympic Games in Barcelona. During 1994 the United Nations and the IOC used the Olympic Truce to cease fire in Bosnia for the time of the Lillehammer Olympics. The Bosnian President agreed to cease fire in Sarajevo.

In 1998 the Japanese winter Olympic games coincided with the conflicts between the United States and Iraq. The Japanese President and the IOC asked the United States to honour an Olympic Truce.

In 2000 North and South Korea showed respect for the Olympic Truce in the Sydney games. The athletes of the two countries marched under one flag at the opening ceremony .

Olympic 'Truce Wall': Promoting world peaceThe Truce Wall consists of two pillars featuring Aboriginal artworks, one of an orca whale and the other of a raven, etched into stainless steel panels. The pillars recreate the Vancouver 2010 medal’s artwork in 3D form and have three openings each in the shape of the medal where light can shine through. A replica installation was simultaneously unveiled at the Olympic Village in Whistler.

In Athens in 2004. Athletes, officials, personalities, and visitors sign the walls to support the idea of peace and understanding through sport. The Truce Wall is a symbol of the Olympic Truce. Since 2004 this tradition is continued

Class: 9th C

We, the students of Class IX pray that there may unity,

Peace & harmony around the world