Olimpiada de iarna - Zidul pacii
04 February 2014

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The symbolic Olympic Truce Wall opened on February 4 in the Coastal Olympic Village. According to the tradition of the Olympic Movement, the Olympic Truce Wall is installed in the Olympic Villages a few days before the opening of the Games in order to let the competitors from different countries are able to leave their wishes for maintaining world peace and support the idea of an Olympic Truce.

The Olympic Truce Wall became a kind of appeal from all Russian youth to athletes from dozens of countries - Ambassadors of Peace and holders of the idea of the International Olympic Movement. A message to future generations is inscribed on the Wall: "Athletes of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Ambassadors of Peace, the young people of Russia welcome you! You represent many different countries and continents, but sports unite you all. The Sochi 2014 Games demonstrate the unity of people in the diversity of culture, religion and ideology. The spirit of the Olympic Truce is in this. Together let's call on all people to observe the Olympic Truce and strive for long-term world peace."

During the Games, there will be an Olympic Truce Wall in both the Coastal and Mountain Olympic Villages. Each wall is made of five panels, representing the number of Olympic rings. The height of the Wall blocks alternates - either1924 mm, which symbolizes the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924, or 2014 mm, which symbolizes the year of the hosting of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, a first in the history of Russia. Thus, organizers have reflected an important milestone in the history of the "white" Games. The idea and design of the Olympic Truce Wall were developed by one of the Sochi 2014 volunteers.

During the sport competitions, athletes and honored guests will be able tosign the Olympic Truce Wall, expressing their support for the UN resolution on keeping peace in the world during the Olympic Games.

The Greek tradition of the "Olympic Truce" dates back to the 8th century BC and has since served as a sacred principle of the Olympic Games. Peace was declared amongst nations and people during the sporting competitions so that all athletes could arrive at and return from their events safely. In 1992, the International Olympic Committee renewed this tradition by calling upon States to observe the Olympic Truce. In 2000, to promote the ideas of harmony and peace, the International Olympic Committee founded the international organization "Olympic Truce". In honor of this tradition, an Olympic Truce Wall is erected in the host city during the Games, on which contestants from different countries leave their wishes to maintain peace on the planet.
Source: http://www.sochi2014.com/