From June 26 to July 2, and just a month before the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Greek and French Missions to the United Nations in Geneva hosted an exhibition on the Olympic Ideal & Olympic Truce at the ‘Palais des Nations’, in Geneva. Through the prism of archaeology and history from antiquity to modern times, this exhibition aspires to illustrate the timeless and ever-relevant nature of the Olympic values.
Olympism is a philosophy of life, creating an equilibrium for the body, mind and soul. Core values such as the Olympic Truce were also fundamental in building and nourishing peace not only for our inner self but also among communities. Respect, tolerance, perseverance and solidarity are only a few of the principles of Olympism which were exalted during the exhibition, celebrating a legacy of 2.800 years.
Visiting the exhibition, Director-General of UN Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, the High Commissioner for UN Human Rights, Volker Türk, the Special Rapporteur in the field of Cultural Rights, Alexandra Xanthaki and outstanding Olympians Yiech Pur Biel and Najla Imad highlighted the power of sports to inspire and promote inclusiveness, especially for people originating from challenging backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced people.