The importance of sport in the Strengthening of Peace
Olympic sports strengthen friendship and unity among nations; Beijing reported changes in society and opened its culture to the world.
Globally, international organizations and prominent leaders have suggested sport as an ideal instrument to unite people. Many governments have reconciled communities divided by conflict through sport and the highest expression of it is the Olympic Games.
 A panel discussion at the London House in Beijing analyzed how major sporting events impact host cities and countries. Lord Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London 2012, stated that the Olympics has done more than just change cities, it has changed the framework of society. According to Lord Coe, the primary goal of London 2012 is to use sport as a bridgehead to resolve some of the issues London faces.
The Olympic Games began in Greece in 776 BC, through the signing of a treaty by three kings: Iphitos of Elis, Cleosthenes of Pisa and Lycurgus of Sparta, thus replacing the sounds of swords with stadium clamors. For almost three thousand years, the Olympic Games gathered athletes from all over Greece and peace reigned for the period of the games. Even in the midst of wars when the Olympic Games approached, a truce was observed to avoid interference with this major sport encounter.
The Olympics in China helped to improve the human rights situation; the government implemented positive changes such as the reform in the death penalty system after the reestablishment of the review of death sentences dictated by the Supreme People's Court; it also gave wider freedom to foreign journalists. On the other hand, Wei Wei, musical Ambassador to the Beijing 2008 Olympics concurred, noting that the global spotlight of the Olympics has made the citizen of Beijing changed their behavior.
 According to local police records, homicide, robbery and violence during the Olympics has been the lowest since the past eight years. The China Daily reported that residents began to change their bad habits; littering, swearing and spitting in public diminished by almost 50%.
One of the fundamental principles of the Character of the Olympics is to place sport at the services of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity. To this effect, the Olympic Movement engages, alone or in cooperation with other organizations and within the limits of its means, in actions to promote peace.
There are many examples that can be highlighted in this theme, but it is important to note that undoubtedly sport functions as a catalyst to build peace and strengthen the unity of nations.
By: Gabriela Lara
Art: Ygor Lima, Remberto Flores
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