IOC statement on athletes’ safe passage
In a world shaken by conflict, division and tragedy, with lives being lost and tragedies experienced by so many, now more than ever, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stands firm in its belief that sport must remain a beacon of hope – a force that brings the whole world together in peaceful competition. This is at the very heart of the Olympic Movement and derives from the Fundamental Principles of Olympism. The neutrality principle of the Olympic Movement was recently re-emphasised by the IOC Executive Board. Strengthening this approach and ensuring that it remains relevant in the future is central to the discussions being undertaken by a dedicated working group in the context of the Fit for the Future process.
As a global organisation, the IOC has to navigate a complex reality. At every edition of the Olympic Games, the IOC has to deal with the consequences of the current political context and the latest developments in the world. At the same time, it must live up to its mission to preserve a values-based, truly global sporting platform that can give hope to the world. This objective depends on the ability of the IOC to bring athletes together to take part in peaceful competition, no matter where they come from.
The United Nations (UN) resolution entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal” (commonly referred to as the Olympic Truce Resolution) supports the IOC in this objective. It aims to enable safe passage for all qualified athletes, from all corners of the world, as they travel to the host country. As for each iteration of similar UN resolutions in the past, it is inspired and guided by the principles of the Olympic Movement.
The Olympic Truce Resolution is an aspirational and non-binding resolution which the UN Member States agree on for each edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is tabled by the host nation of the Games and is adopted by the UN Member States themselves. The IOC, with its Permanent Observer Status at the UN, has no means of enforcing the implementation of the resolution. We recognise that this is entirely in the remit of the UN system and outside the remit of the IOC.
We therefore appeal to all UN Member States to support athletes who have qualified for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, and who may be affected by the most recent conflicts, in their journey to these Games.
