Vancouver (AFP) – United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called for the world to respect the Olympic Truce and urged all warring countries to cease hostilities for the duration of the Winter Games in Vancouver.

“As the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver draw near, the United Nations and the Olympic Movement are once again calling for a worldwide cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Games,” he said in a statement received here.

The idea of the Olympic Truce dates back to an ancient Hellenic tradition from around 776 BC, and in keeping with this all wars would stop during the Olympic Games.

It was fully respected for twelve centuries and in 1992 the International Olympic Committee urged the world to observe it once again.

“The Olympic Truce brings hope of at least a temporary respite from violence and armed conflict,” said the UN secretary-general.

“It also draws attention to a terrible paradox. At the Olympics and throughout the year, we rightly honour the outstanding achievements of the human body and the positive social values of competitive sport, including team spirit and fairness.

“Yet all too often, through the carnage of war, we do terrible damage to that same human body, and to our shared values.”

Ban was joined in his call for an end to hostilities by UN General Assembly president Ali Abdussalam Treki, who said the Olympic Games was about spreading peace through sport.

“The Games will bring together athletes from all parts of the world in the greatest of international sports events as a means to promote peace, mutual understanding and goodwill among nations and peoples,” he said.

“These are goals that are also part of the founding values of the United Nations.”

The Olympic Winter Games start on Friday and run until February 28.

mp/dj10