IOC: The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to strongly resist gay discrimination.

Speaking at the 126th Session of the IOC in Sochi, Russia, he said: 

“We must all raises our voices against attacks on gays and lesbians. We must raise our voices against any form of discrimination. Hatred of any kind must have no place in the 21st century.”

He was assured by the IOC President, Thomas Bach, who said: “Sport is standing against any form of discrimination.”

The Secretary-General called on all countries to observe the Olympic Truce during the Winter Games in Sochi.

“I repeat my call to all warring parties to lay down their weapons during the Games and to lift their sights to the promise of peace,” Ki-moon said.

“I applaud and strongly support the Olympic Truce. All athletes are joining together under the same banner of equality and mutual respect”.

He said athletes send a unified message that people can put aside their differences.

“The Olympics has shown the power of sport to bring together people. Sport has an amazing power to unite people in solidarity. It is an enormous force for progress. Sport transcends all barriers.”

Mr Ban also reminded the IOC members of the need to treat women equally. At the Sochi Games, women will compete in the ski jump for the first time. 

“Sports can also help empower women,” he said. “Women will compete in ski jump and I will be cheering for them to jump as high and leap as far so women can jump far and wide and high.”