The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday approved an Olympic Truce resolution that drew broad international support, and officials from the International Olympic Committee and Italy said the vote sends a strong signal in favor of keeping sport neutral and safeguarding athletes.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the resolution, which member states adopted earlier in the day, "sends an incredibly strong message to, keep sport neutral" and allows athletes from around the world "to be able to live out their dreams and their aspirations and to continue to inspire the world." Coventry thanked the Italian mission and Milano Cortina organizers for their work in securing support for the measure.

Why it matters: The move is designed to shield athletes and the Olympic process from geopolitical conflict by urging parties and states to respect a period of truce during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Italy's ambassador to the U.N., Maurizio Massari, noted the resolution was approved by consensus and said 165 states cosponsored it, framing the vote as evidence that "the spirit of unity and dialogue is still alive here at the UN."

Coventry told reporters the IOC already runs global assistance to all 206 National Olympic Committees through its Olympic Solidarity programs and provides additional special funds when national committees request help. "We are continuously doing that," she said, and added the IOC has formed a working group to consider further support for areas experiencing conflict.

On gender equality, Coventry highlighted progress from the most recent summer Games, saying organizers "saw gender equality for the first time on the field of play in Paris" and that Milano Cortina 2026 will show "for the first time for the winter games in 2026" steps toward parity. She said the IOC will turn that foundation into work across international federations, national committees and coaching to expand equal opportunities.

Giovanni Malago, president of the Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee, thanked Italy's foreign ministry and said the organizing team is preparing an educational program for young people and will soon begin the Olympic torch journey tied to the theme of "harmony," leading up to Feb. 6.

When asked whether the resolution would translate into "tangible signs" of reduced violence during the Games, Ambassador Massari said the resolution is a "very, very powerful" signal and expressed hope that it could help pave the way for progress in the weeks ahead. He also noted the General Assembly resolution came two days after a Security Council measure on Gaza.

The press stakeout that followed the adoption focused on two intertwined themes: diplomatic backing for the truce and practical measures the IOC and organizers say they will pursue to protect athletes and broaden inclusion. Coventry emphasized current relief mechanisms and an internal working group to consider added support for conflict-affected athletes; Massari and Malago underscored diplomatic outreach and youth-focused programming.

The speakers did not announce new binding international measures at the briefing; their remarks centered on the recently adopted U.N. resolution, existing IOC programs and organizers' preparations for Milano Cortina 2026.