Olympic Organizers Call for Suspension of Wars During Games

United Nations and Olympic officials invoke ancient Greek tradition of Olympic Truce to demand ceasefire during upcoming Winter Olympics

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:55pm

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As the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics approach, the United Nations and Olympic organizers are calling for a 7-week pause of all wars worldwide, invoking the ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic Truce. This tradition, which dates back to ancient times, calls for a cessation of hostilities to allow athletes and spectators to travel safely to the games. However, the truce's record of success has been dismal, with fighting continuing in many conflicts during past Olympic Games.

Why it matters

The Olympic Truce is seen as a symbolic gesture to promote peace and international cooperation, especially in an era of global disorder and political polarization. While the truce has had limited practical impact, organizers and the UN argue it serves as an important moral baseline and message of hope, even if the ceasefire demands are repeatedly broken.

The details

The proposed Olympic Truce for the 2026 Winter Games would start one week before the opening ceremony on February 6 and run until one week after the March 15 Paralympics closing. It is backed by a UN General Assembly resolution, though past truces have had a poor track record, with fighting continuing in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. Organizers say the truce is meant to create 'even a small space for peace' and symbolize 'respect for international law and international cooperation'.

  • The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics begin on February 6.
  • The Olympic Truce would start one week before the opening ceremony and run until one week after the March 15 Paralympics closing.

The players

United Nations

The international organization that is backing the call for an Olympic Truce during the 2026 Winter Games.

Constantinos Filis

Director of the International Olympic Truce Center and the Institute of Global Affairs in Athens, who argues the truce still has value in promoting peace even if it is often violated.

Kirsty Coventry

Former Olympic swimming champion who last year became the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee, and who addressed the UN General Assembly in support of the Olympic Truce.

António Guterres

The UN Secretary-General, who told reporters the Olympics are 'an excellent moment to symbolize peace, to symbolize respect for international law, and to symbolize international cooperation'.

Shawn Davies

A senior analyst at Uppsala University's Department of Peace and Conflict Research, who says the number of active armed conflicts globally has increased significantly in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“Wherever possible, we should strive toward creating even a small space for peace.”

— Constantinos Filis, Director, International Olympic Truce Center

“Even in these dark times of division, it is possible to celebrate our shared humanity and inspire hope for a better future.”

— Kirsty Coventry, President, International Olympic Committee

“Sport — and the Olympic Games in particular — can offer a rare space where people meet not as adversaries, but as fellow human beings. This is why the Olympic Truce is so important.”

— Kirsty Coventry, President, International Olympic Committee

“I think the Olympics are an excellent moment to symbolize peace, to symbolize respect for international law, and to symbolize international cooperation.”

— António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

What’s next

The UN General Assembly will vote again on the Olympic Truce resolution in the coming weeks, ahead of the 2026 Winter Games.

The takeaway

While the Olympic Truce has a poor track record of actually stopping wars, organizers and the UN see it as an important symbolic gesture to promote peace and international cooperation, especially in an era of rising global conflicts and political divisions.