United Nations

‘Olympic Flame illuminates hope for common humanity’ says UN Secretary-General at Winter Games in Sochi

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XXII WINTER OLYMPICS SOCHI

Shown here is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, centre left, and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, centre right,
meeting with athletes at the Olympic Village in Soichi, Russia. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

UN Secretary-General at Olympic Games in Sochi

On February 7, 2014, the UN Secretary-General made the following remarks in a video message celebrating the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia:

XXII WINTER OLYMPICS SOCHI

Shown celebrating sports, solidarity, and the Olympic spirit is a group of young athletes pictured with UN Secretary-General (second from left) and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek (left) in the Sochi Olympic Village. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras.

I am Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. My warmest greetings to the International Olympic Committee President Honourable Thomas Bach and all those gathered for the twenty-second Winter Olympic Games!

Here we see a view of the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics hosted by the Black Sea resort city of Soichi. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras.

Here we see a view of the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics
hosted by the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras.

The UN Secretary-General went on to say, “the Olympics and Paralympics bring out the best in athletic achievement, and the Olympic Flame also illuminates hope for our common humanity. Even in the cold winter weather, barriers between people melt away The Olympic spirit prevails: fair play, mutual respect, friendly competition” he added.

He concluded by saying, “Let us take that spirit and spread it around the world for peace – and a truce between all warring parties around the world; for human rights and an end to discrimination; for a life of dignity for all. Together, let us celebrate sports and solidarity. “

 

 

Ann Charles
Ann Charles is UN Bureau Chief of "Baltic Review" based in New York City. She covers diplomatic activities at United Nations Headquarters in New York and the world body's work in human rights, education, culture, the environment, and tourism, among other global concerns.

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