COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) today announced plans to unveil “Olympic Truce,” a bronze sculpture that is symbolic of the Olympic Truce resolution of the United Nations. Commissioned by The Truce Foundation of the USA and underwritten by long-time Olympic philanthropist, Irwin Belk, the unveiling will take place at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) at 9:30 a.m. in Colorado Springs, Colo., in conjunction with USOC’s observation of the International Olympic Day Celebration on June 23, 2006.

The Olympic Day Celebration is a worldwide commemoration of Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s June 23, 1894, convening of the first International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting at the Sorbonne in Paris, and the founding of the Modern Olympic Games. National Olympic Committee’s (NOC’s) throughout the world will participate in the international celebration, with each Olympic Committee sending Olympic Day greetings to participating nations.

This year, in celebration of Olympic Day the Colorado Springs OTC will proudly unveil “Olympic Truce,” which was originally commissioned to Spanish artist Rosa Serra by philanthropist, Irwin Belk. The replica statue will stand at the entrance to the Athlete Center, a prominent location along the Olympic Path of the Olympic Training Center.

The eight-foot bronze and marble-based statue is symbolic of the longest standing peace accord in history. It is decorated with the Olympic rings and the Truce symbol (a dove holding an olive branch in its break). The original sculpture was received by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a gift from Mr. Belk upon the meeting of the International Truce Foundation at the United Nations headquarters in 2001. Dignitaries such as former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger attended the event. Recently, the original was permanently installed in Olympic Park in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

"This symbol of peace is emblematic of the role Olympic sport plays in the world," said USOC Chief Executive Officer, Jim Scherr. "This inspiring artwork will serve as a reminder to all Olympic Training Center athletes and visitors that the Olympic dream is about the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to Olympism."

Since the 8th century B.C., the Olympic Truce has served as the cornerstone of the Olympic Games. During the ancient Olympic Games, a truce was created by kings of all lands so that from the seventh day prior to the opening of the Games to the seventh day following the closing of the Games, all conflicts ceased, allowing athletes, artists and spectators to travel to Olympia to participate in the Games and return to their homelands safely.

Today, the United Nations General Assembly, which has 191 member states, examines the IOC’s draft resolution on the Olympic Truce, submitted by the host country of the Olympic Games every two years. The next Olympic Truce resolution will be presented by China in 2007. The Olympic Truce is the most revered tenant of Olympism and the most supported resolution in the history of the United Nations General Assembly.

"The statue is designed to last centuries and to educate the youth of the world through sport and art," said The Truce Foundation of The USA, Founder, Hugh Dugan. "Through the generosity of Irwin Belk, athletes living and training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center will be reminded of the deeper principles of Olympism and the potential for sport to contribute to peace around the world."

Mr. Dugan had a key role in reviving the ancient Olympic Truce for the modern era through several landmark United Nations resolutions.

Other Olympic Day Activities
In addition to the unveiling of the “Olympic Truce,” employees and athletes at the OTC in Lake Placid, N.Y., will celebrate Olympic Day with a community event that honors the Olympic heritage of Lake Placid and the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. Employees and members of the community will have an opportunity to try their hands at several Olympic sports, including a mini version of luge on wheels, a simulation of ski jumping, air rifle biathlon, pushing of a bobsled and snowboarding on real snow.

Other activities geared toward area youth will include soccer and t-ball games and a rock-climbing wall. Prizes will be given out. Additionally, other organizations, including the Lake Placid Youth Athletic Association will participate with a fundraising event.

In Chula Vista, Calif., employees and resident athletes will mark the occasion with a Beijing-themed lunch in anticipation of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

About The Artist
Rosa Serra is one of Spain’s most talented artists. She has created countless works devoted to sport. Her “Olympic Suite” is a collection of 22 sculptures that were exhibited at the provisional Olympic Museum in 1987, and now belong to the IOC.

The Truce Foundation of The USA
Established in 2001 and inspired by Olympic philanthropist, Irwin Belk and humanitarian, Hugh Dugan, the Foundation is the only national entity of its kind in the world. The mission of the Foundation is to educate American’s to draw upon the inspiration of the Olympic Games for making a truce with conflicts in their lives that constrain them from pursuing their goals and ideals.

The Foundation issued awards at the 2004 Athens and 2006 Torino Olympic Games to international celebrities supportive of the Olympic Truce, including the Prime Minister of Greece, the Foreign Ministry of Italy, the President of Nigeria, the President of Liberia, 2002 Olympic Winter Games Chief Mitt Romney and USOC Chairman, Peter Ueberroth. The Foundation is preparing for awards ceremonies at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, and at the Asian Games in Qatar in December 2006.

About Irwin Belk
Irwin “Ike” Belk is passionate about sport and Olympism. A retired businessman from South Carolina, he was awarded the Olympic Order in 2002. Mr. Belk has donated over $3 million to the U.S. Olympic Committee for the Irwin Belk Olympic Path, which showcases all of the Olympic and Pan American sports; the $1 million Irwin Belk Endowed Olympic Fund to be used by the USOC in general support of Olympic athletes and the $1 million 30-foot bronze sculpture, “Olympic Strength” serves as the cornerstone of the Olympic Visitors Center sculpture garden in Colorado Springs, Colo.