From the
Olympic Truce Centre:
The concepts of the Olympic Games and of the Olympic Truce or "Ekecheiria," meaning the cessation of hostilities during the duration of the Games, are inextricably linked. In ancient Greece, throughout the duration of the Olympic Truce, from the seventh day prior to the opening of the Games to the seventh day following their closing, conflicts ceased, allowing athletes, artists and spectators to travel to Olympia, participate in the Olympic Games and return to their homelands in safety.
For more than ten years, a major effort has been underway to revive the tradition of the Olympic Truce.... The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly and unanimously endorsed the Olympic Truce, and has called on member States to observe it during the Olympic Games.
From the United States:
"Major operations to destroy [al-Sadr's] militia have begun," announced Marine Major David Holahan.