Secretary-General, Accepting Award, Commits to Further Strengthening

Of Bonds between United Nations, Olympic Movement

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, on accepting the Olympic Order Award at the third International Forum on Sport for Peace and Development, in New York, on 5 June:

Thank you for this honour.  I accept this Olympic Order Award on behalf of the United Nations.

Throughout our broad family, sport is being harnessed to promote peace and development.  The Olympic Movement is our valued partner.

I have seen for myself the power of sport for building bridges and overcoming obstacles.  I saw it in the joyous crowds at the opening festivities for last year’s London Games.  And I saw it in the proud eyes of amputee footballers in Sierra Leone.

The lessons that sport can bring — the rewards of team spirit and personal growth — can be a gift for a lifetime.  I commend the Olympic Movement for its commitment to a better world.

In accepting this award, I commit to further strengthening the bonds between our two organizations

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For information media • not an official record