Russia, IOC Clash At UN Before Member States Pass Olympic Truce For Paris Games

The UN on November 21 voted to adopt a traditional truce around the 2024 Paris Olympics despite objections from Russia. The Olympic Truce is a modern revival of an ancient Greek tradition to ensure warring city states allowed safe passage for athletes. Two years ago, Russia voted for the previous truce resolution, then flagrantly breached it by invading Ukraine four days after the 2022 Winter Olympics closed in Beijing. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has urged international sports bodies to let some Russian athletes compete as neutrals. A Russian diplomat called this “completely unacceptable” before the debate on the truce, which was backed by 118 of the 193 UN members. Only Russia and Syria abstained.