The measure was voted unanimously by the United Nations assembly. The president of the Milan-Cortina Foundation: “The Games are still able to show the world that there is an alternative to conflict”
To the United Nations to ask for peace. A peace which in this case is called the Olympic Truce, in the best tradition of the Games. Giovanni Malagò, president of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, spoke this evening in the Glass Palace in New York, as did the president of the IOC Kirsty Coventry, to present, on behalf of Italy, the draft resolution “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal”. The outcome went beyond all expectations: thanks to a great deal of diplomacy, the resolution was voted unanimously with 165 countries officially supporting it (the one for Paris was supported by 84). Which is why Malagò reserves his first words after the vote for Maurizio Massari, Italy’s permanent representative to the United Nations, for Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani “for the great work done” and for the number one of the IOC because “his presence and his words were fundamental for this very important result, the unanimity, is a reason to be proud. We did excellent team work, this makes me particularly happy. Now forward to February 6th”.
COVENTRY
—
President Coventry was very satisfied: “It is very nice to see the incredible support for the Olympic Truce obtained from the United Nations, an incredibly strong message to keep sport neutral and to allow athletes to live their dreams and aspirations and continue to inspire the world”.
THE SPEECH
—
“In a time of growing discord and conflict, sport and the Olympic Games can represent a beacon of hope, an alternative to rivalry and division – said Malagò -. Yes, the Olympic Games are based on competition and the pursuit of excellence. But throughout their history they have demonstrated something even more powerful: a sense of humanity that transcends even the greatest athletic achievements. These values, enshrined in the Olympic Charter, are one of the reasons why the Olympic Games are still able to demonstrate to the world that there is an alternative to conflict. In PyeongChang in 2018, we hosted taekwondo athletes from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea at home. It’s the power of sport.”
THE WALL OF TRUCE
—
A Then addressing the assembly: “The draft resolution before you today highlights the role of sport in inspiring individuals and communities to uphold these fundamental values. It also recognizes that the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina will be a unifying event to harness the power of sport. As President of the Games Organizing Committee, I know that we have a unique opportunity and opportunity to promote the Olympic Truce and create an atmosphere of peace. It is my sincere hope that the Italian spirit (and he also repeats it in Italian, ed.) can win hearts and minds and inspire change. I also hope that the incredible athletic results we will witness next year, carved into the frozen beauty of the Italian Alps, will be a source of inspiration for the entire world.” He then reveals: “Unlike previous editions, the athletes will stay in eight different villages and clusters. In each of these there will be a Truce Wall where they can leave their signature as a symbol of their commitment to peace. All this underlines the fundamental message for me of Milano Cortina 2026: harmony. It is a message and a principle that has its roots in Italian culture and history”.
DIALOGUE
—
Malagò cites the altruistic gestures of the bobsleigh champion Eugenio Monti in Innsbruck 1964 as an example of values beyond competition, and the skier Giuliana Chenal-Minuzzo as the first woman to recite the Olympic oath in Cortina 1956, recalling that the 2026 Winter Games will be among the most balanced in history from a gender point of view in history. He cites Michelangelo, Leonardo and Lorenzo de Medici who “promoted universal themes such as beauty, reason and harmony. By encouraging culture and dialogue rather than dogma, they laid the foundations for modern diplomacy, changing perspectives and putting human beings, their dignity and their respect first. These principles are at the heart of this great institution and echo the cherished Olympic commitment to universality.”
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED