The UN Calls for Olympic Truce During Rio Games

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for the Olympic Truce to be upheld during the Rio de Janeiro Games from Aug. 5-21.

Ban, calling on all Olympic athletes and officials to "work closely for global harmony and peace," said in a video news release on Tuesday that "in that spirit, we proclaim the Olympic Truce and we call on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and put aside their differences during the games."

The Olympic Truce dates back to ancient Greece. Its aim was to ensure that the host city was not attacked and that athletes and spectators could travel safely to the games, before returning to their respective countries.

The U.N. adopts a resolution before each Summer and Winter Olympics calling for the truce to be instituted, although it has not always been upheld.