Olympic organisers call for seven-week truce around Milan Cortina Games

Organisers and the United Nations have proposed a seven-week Olympic truce from 6 February to 15 March around the Milan Cortina Games; the resolution was backed in the UN General Assembly but past truce resolutions have not consistently halted wars.

Organisers of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and the United Nations have urged a global pause in armed conflict tied to the Games. The proposal is for a seven-week Olympic truce beginning one week before the Winter Games and ending one week after the Paralympics. The idea traces to an ancient Greek practice that protected athletes and visitors and has been revived in modern times. Supporters frame the request as a symbolic call for international cooperation amid rising global tensions. Key points: - The UN General Assembly backed a resolution proposing a truce running from 6 February to 15 March, around the Milan Cortina Games. - Past modern Olympic truce resolutions have passed with broad majorities but signatories have frequently not honoured the pledge. - Researchers at Uppsala University reported 61 active armed conflicts in 2024 and said their upcoming report shows 2025 had even more active conflicts. - Olympic and UN figures, including Constantinos Filis, António Guterres and Kirsty Coventry, described the truce as a symbolic space for peace and international cooperation. Summary: The UN and Olympic organisers have called for a seven-week truce tied to the Milan Cortina Games, scheduled to run from 6 February to 15 March. The resolution received wide backing in the General Assembly, but past truce efforts have not consistently paused active wars. The practical effect of this appeal on ongoing conflicts is undetermined at this time.