The Olympic Truce Wall was unveiled in the Olympic Village of the Rio Olympics on Monday, four days before the opening ceremony of the world's top sports gathering.
The tradition of the wall dates back to ancient Greece, when a truce was announced before and during the Olympic Games to ensure that the host city was not attacked and that athletes and spectators could travel safely to the Games and peacefully return to their respective countries.
"I think we pass down the tradition and spread it so that sports can harmonize the entire society and maintain peace in the world. It is very crucial for us to realize the extraordinary meaning of the Olympics," said Leonardo Picciani, the Brazilian sports minister.
The message of peace is especially potent this time around when war and other conflicts have displaced millions in the past few years.
To address this growing tragedy, for the first time in Olympic history, the IOC announced the formation of the Team of Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA), which consists of 10 members from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Syria, who will take part in judo, track and field, and swimming events, among others.
They will represent millions of refugees from all over the world, compete under the IOC flag, and march in before the host team Brazil.
When asked whether the ROA will be a long-term project for the IOC, Bach said he hopes there will be no need for it in the future.
"And now it's a project for the Olympic Games in Rio. The real purpose of this refugee team is to encourage as many national Olympic committees in as many countries as possible to integrate the refugees in their countries into their national Olympic committees and into their sport system. So hopefully, as soon as possible, we do not need such a refugee Olympic team anymore," Bach said.
During the unveiling ceremony, a team of 26 refugee children performed two Brazilian songs.
As for the refugee athletes, they said they cherish the opportunity to be in Rio, and that they will strive for higher achievements in the face of adversity.
"I want to tell all children [through my victory] that physical exercise is a must, and don't go down the wrong path nor do wrong things. There are many sports besides judo. So play more sports. There are schools free of charge in Brazil, and you can go there to study and to play sports. So you have to get on the right path. I want to spread this message [in the slums]," said Popole Misenga, a refugee athlete from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After the ceremony, many people came to the wall and wrote down their wishes for world peace. More on: [ Ссылка ]
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