November 27, 2005 – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) applauds the UN and, particularly, the support of the Government of Canada for participating earlier this week in a United Nations Olympic Truce Resolution entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal.”

In a display of unsurpassed international unity on November 3, 2005, the United Nations General Assembly in New York passed by consensus the Olympic Truce Resolution, Torino 2006. The Resolution, sponsored by 190 member countries of the General Assembly of the United Nations, was put forward by the host country Italy.

“Canada embraces the values and spirit of Olympism,” said John Furlong, VANOC CEO. The Torino Organizing Committee has made great strides in furthering the ideals of the Olympic Truce. At Vancouver 2010, we fully intend to build upon the Olympic Truce in a uniquely Canadian way as we aim to inspire the world by igniting a genuine passion for sport.”

The concept of an Olympic Truce has been put before the UN General Assembly in the lead up to each Olympic Games since 1993. The passing of the Olympic Truce Resolution recognizes the role of sport as an instrument of peace and development. Torino 2006 marks the first time in Olympic and UN history that the truce has been extended to cover the Paralympic Games as well. More information on the Olympic Truce may be found at www.olympic.org

The Olympic Winter Games will be held in Torino from February 10 to 26, 2006. The Winter Games comprise seven different sports and 15 different disciplines, which will be played out in eight competition sites. Approximately 2,500 athletes, 650 judges and umpires and 1.5 million spectators are expected to participate in this 20th edition of the Winter Games. The 2006 Paralympic Winter Games will be held March 10-19.