London 2012 Updates

Thursday, 26 July 2012

Olympic Truce Wall unveiled in the Olympic Village

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has opened the Olympic Truce Wall in the Olympic Village.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe signed the Truce Wall.

The Wall has been a permanent fixture at the Games since the Sydney 2000 Games, and is a place that can be used to reflect, inspire and bring peace through sport. It is decorated with images and statements from students at St Johns’ Roman Catholic School in Kent, which reflect what the Olympic Truce means to them. Athletes and officials were also invited to sign the Wall as symbol of support.

At the ceremony, President Rogge said: 'Sport is not immune from, and cannot cure, all of the ills in the world. But sport can help bridge differences and bring together. We can see proof of that at these Games.'

President Rogge also paid tribute to the victims of the Munich 1972 Games, saying: 'The 11 victims... came to Munich in the spirit of peace and solidarity. We owe it to them to keep that spirit alive and to remember them.'

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe also commented on how important the Olympic Truce can be in uniting people: 'As an athlete and as Chair of LOCOG, I have seen firsthand how sport can bring people together. Through our Truce Inspire programme, we have recognised local and neighbourhood projects across the UK which use sport or culture to address local conflict, to bring different neighbourhoods together.'

After the Games, the Wall will be displayed at the British Olympic Museum in the Olympic Park.

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