PACE President Petra Bayr and Mogens Jensen, Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media today made the following joint statement:

On the eve of the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, PACE President Petra Bayr and Mogens Jensen, Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, recalled the Assembly’s firm position on the primacy of human rights in and through sport.

“Sport, at its very best, is a unifying force,” they said. “But neutrality must never become a pretext for silence when human rights are violated.” They underlined that the Olympic Games, while a celebration of athletic excellence, also carry a profound ethical responsibility. Recalling the resolution on the Olympic Movement and peacekeeping adopted by the Assembly in June 2025, Ms Bayr and Mr Jensen stressed that “international human rights standards must take precedence over political neutrality in sport”, adding that that the Olympic Charter “is not superior to international conventions and treaties”, and that sporting autonomy cannot shield organisations from accountability.

“As athletes take centre stage in Cortina, they must be able to compete in dignity and safety, and their achievements must never be instrumentalised for political propaganda,” they said.

Ms Bayr and Mr Jensen also reiterated the Assembly’s call for stronger safeguards within the Olympic Movement, including effective respect for the Olympic Truce and protection of athletes’ freedom of expression. “Silence is not neutrality when injustice is at stake,” they warned, emphasising that speaking out for peace and human dignity should be recognised as fully consistent with Olympic values.

At a time of heightened global tensions, Ms Bayr and Mr Jensen concluded by urging the International Olympic Committee and all actors involved to demonstrate leadership. “Human rights must take precedence over political convenience. Only then can the Olympic Games truly serve as a force for peace, solidarity and shared humanity.”