1. 776 BC
The first Games were held in Greece and
were known as the Ancient Games lasting
until the 4th Century AD.
The modern games, or the Olympic
Games as we came to know them, began
in 1896 when Frenchman Pierre de
Coubertin revived the Games to bring
peace and friendship to young people all
over the world.

2. εκεχειρια = Truce
884BC
Kings Iphitos, Lycurgus and Cleisthenes decreed
a cessation of all hostilities from seven days
before until seven days after the Games
contested by their top sportsmen,
and so
The Olympic Truce
was born

3. 1992 AD
Barcelona Games:
the International Olympic Committee and the
United Nations sought the return of the Truce
• The Truce captures the Olympic values of fair
competition, humanity, reconciliation and tolerance
within its ideology
• Seeking to protect the interests of athletes and
sports
• To search for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to
conflict
• Pioneering mankind in Unity, and enabling the
celebration of our differences, patriotism and
cultures

4. Every Olympic Games since 1992,
the Truce has been observed,
both Summer and Winter.
Whilst it doesn’t aim to bring peace
to all and for all time, it gives hope
that unity, peace and harmony are
possible albeit brief.

5. Fair Competition
What is Fair Competition?
Being treated as equals, evenly matched
No drug enhanced performances, only training,
stamina and natural performance
Not exhibiting any bias, and therefore
reasonable or impartial

6. Each Country may have held a selection process
in order to help them find the top men and
women to represent them in the Olympic and
Paralympic events
Each Country sends their top athletes to
compete against other athletes of a similar
ability from other countries,
within they’re own chosen sport or sports

7. Humanity
The Opening Ceremony is about
celebrating all the Countries coming
together and being proud of where
they are from.
Celebrating the Unity of mankind
despite its differences, overcoming
racism, intolerance, hatred and
bigotry.

8. The 5 rings represent the 5
participating continents, the
rings interlock and stand for
mankind being united.
At least one of the colours is
representational of the
Country’s flag

9. When the athletes compete,
they do it with compassion and
are charitable in opposition.
Regardless of colour, race or
creed all of our religions ask
that we show these attributes
to one another

10. Reconciliation
What is reconciliation?
Dictionary definition says Act of
reconciling or the state of being
reconciled.
Forgive and forget, remember
what is important in todays
society

11. We must learn to forgive and
forget the past, live in the present
and hope for the future.
If we reconcile with each other
there will be a better society, not
just a better atmosphere at the
Olympics but a better world

12. Events like the Olympics are
internationally attended and
widely broadcasted, they provide
an excellent global platform for
raising social awareness.
Sport is a beneficial tool to
implement social change

13. Tolerance
A thesaurus would provide many
options on the world tolerance,
open-mindedness, acceptance,
forbearance, lenience and
patience being the main
alternatives of usage

14. Being tolerant of others overcomes
many of the negative issues mankind
suffers from, the athletes show
tolerance in their competitiveness.
They set good humane examples to us
all. In the process to find the top
athlete man or woman, it doesn’t
matter what colour they are, what
religion they follow.

15. The competing athletes set the standards
by which we should all follow, upholding
the values of the Games, treating each
other as we would wish to be treated
ourselves
“Sport alone cannot enforce or maintain
peace. But it has a vital role to play in
building a better and more peaceful
world.“
Dr Jacques Rogge, October 2007