BBC Learning English
Words in the News
17

th

October 2011

Britain to ask UN for Olympic Truce

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

As the host of the next Olympics, Britain is will introduce in the United Nations a resolution

calling for warring parties around the world to observe a truce during the games. That's an

ancient tradition established in the 9th Century BC and revived in recent decades although,

as Barbara Plett reports, one that remains largely symbolic:

The Olympic Truce gave those participating in the ancient Greek games safe passage, and a

peaceful environment in which to compete.

The tradition was revived in the early 1990s through UN resolutions. In practice this has had

limited impact: you may recall that the Georgia war erupted on the eve of the Beijing

Olympics in 2008.

Nevertheless British diplomats want at least a show of world peace. They're trying to get all

UN member states to co-sponsor their resolution.

They've been soliciting support by fax and email from countries that don't have a UN mission,

and on the spot from some ambassadors at diplomatic parties.

But they're still short two signatures: Syria and Iran.

As for peace during the games, it seems unlikely that war in Afghanistan will stop. And when

it comes to Libya, diplomats say they hope that conflict will have ended by the time the

Olympics begin.

Barbara Plett, BBC News, New York

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

safe passage

permission to cross war zones free from harm

revived

brought back

limited impact

small influence

recall

remember

erupted

started

nevertheless

in spite of what has been said

to co-sponsor

to support jointly

soliciting

asking for

on the spot

immediately

they’re still short

they’re still lacking

More on the Olympics:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/2012/

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/10/111017_witn_olympic_truce.shtml