Olympic Flame Burns Bright in Geneva

(ATR) United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon tells Around the Rings that the Olympic Flame has a "healing and unifying effect," for the Brazilian people, and for the world.

Moon spoke of the flame’s power to promote peace and development amid a political crisis in Brazil and amid a refugee crisis around the world. He added to ATR that he was proud to have overseen the first trip of the flame to the UN in his position as Secretary General, and added that he hoped the current political situation in Brazil would be resolved democratically.

"Sports have a very strong power of inspiring and working for peace; this flame takes this power of giving positive energy to the people," Moon said to ATR. "It transcends all races and boundaries and peoples and ideologies. The flame which was brought from Greece will tour around Brazil, and I think people will cheer and take this opportunity to reflect themselves with peace and development."

Adding to the Secretary General’s sentiments, IOC President Thomas Bach told ATR that the Olympic Flame represents a "signal of confidence" to the Brazilian people in the wake of current struggles the country is facing.

"For the Brazilian people it is a signal of solidarity," Bach added. "It is a signal of how much we anticipate finally coming to Brazil and being welcome by the warmth and hospitality of the Brazilian people. With them we will have a great celebration of peace."

Bach, Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, and Brazilian Sports Minister Ricardo Leyser joined Moon in Geneva for the ceremony. Thirteen year old Bruna Gabrielle Pitta from Portugal carried the flame into the General Assembly in Geneva to begin the proceedings.

Bach awarded Moon and the United Nations the Olympic Cup, for the second time and lauded the increased collaboration between the IOC and the UN.

"What better place than the UN to share this universal message of our shared humanity and peace," Bach asked when presenting the Cup. "Over the years our partnership with the UN has deepened on many levels. Mr. Secretary General, your tireless efforts and initiatives to rally world leaders behind the sustainable development goals in making this achievement a reality."

Continuing the theme of peace and development, Moon said he will be looking forward to seeing how the team of refugee athletes performs at the 2016 Games. President Bach announced the initiative to allow refugee athletes who qualify for the Games to compete under the Olympic Flag in October with a speech to the UN in New York City.

"For the first time in history, talented athletes who have been forced to flee their homes will get a chance to chase gold," Moon said in his opening address. "The world will see refugees the way they deserve to be seen: as talented, strong and inspiring people. Let us all be on the team of refugees until there is no need for a refugee team at all."

In his speech to the assembly, Nuzman said that "the Games of the XXXI Olympiad share the same values," as both the IOC and UN and welcomed the Olympic Flame on its final stop before headed to Brasilia. He added that the Olympic experience will travel "to all corners of Brazil," promoting the values of peace and development.

"It is with great honor that we say here today that Rio 2016 is ready to deliver history," Nuzman added. "We become stronger when we face adversity. Brazil is ready to host a great Games, that we believe will help our people become more confident."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Geneva

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