UN urges Olympic Truce ahead of Rio Games

UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft urged the member states to observe the Olympic Truce ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and Paralympics, the media reported.

The Olympic Truce – ceasing all conflicts between countries participating in the games from 7 days before the Olympics start until 7 days after they finish – has been passed on from Ancient Greece to current times to advance international understanding and promote world peace, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lykketoft on Monday called upon all warring parties of current armed conflicts around the world to boldly agree to true mutual ceasefires for the duration of the Olympic Truce, thus providing an opportunity to settle disputes peacefully.

The Rio Olympics will be held from August 5 to 21 and the Paralympics from September 7 to 18.

Over 10,000 athletes from a record number of countries will participate in the 2016 summer Olympics. South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, is also scheduled to take part.

For the first time ever, a team of refugees will participate under the Olympic flag in the Games, which the UN hails as a powerful symbol of inclusion and shared humanity.