体坛英语新闻：UN chief to carry Olympic torch

UNITED NATIONS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit London from July 26-28, during which he will carry the Olympic torch during the final leg of its relay, a UN spokesman told reporters here on Tuesday.

"On Thursday, at the invitation of the London Olympic Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), he will carry the Olympic Torch on the final leg of its journey in the United Kingdom in the presence of the President of the IOC," said Eduardo del Buey, the deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing.

"It was an honor for the secretary-general, who is a firm believer in sports for development and for peace," he said.

According to him, after taking part in events related to the opening of the London 2012 Olympics, Ban will attend the Opening Ceremony on Friday.

During his visit in London, the UN chief will also hold bilateral meetings with British leaders, including the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Foreign Secretary William Hague, said del Buey.

He added that the secretary-general will be discussing the concept of the Olympic Truce and meeting with other leaders who will be in London for the opening of the Games.

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, also known as London 2012, are scheduled to take place in London from July 27 to August 12, 2012.

In 1992, the IOC renewed the ancient Greek tradition of the ekecheiria, or "Olympic Truce," by calling on all nations to observe it. The UN General Assembly has urged members to observe the Olympic Truce from the seventh day before the opening to the seventh day after the closing of each Olympic Games.