U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks in an exclusive online interview with the Mainichi Shimbun, on Feb. 27, 2021. (Mainichi)

       NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has no plan to visit Japan to attend the Tokyo Olympics, the office of his spokesperson said Thursday.

       In a video message released the same day, Guterres noted the beginning of the Olympic truce, calling on all parties involved in conflicts to observe the truce during the Summer Games in Japan.

       "In a few days, athletes from around the world will come together in Japan for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They have had to overcome enormous obstacles to participate, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

       "Seeking peace and uniting around common goals is even more important this year, as we strive to end the pandemic and build a strong, sustainable and inclusive global recovery," the U.N. chief said, urging full observance of the truce which runs through Sept. 12, seven days after the close of the Paralympic Games.

       An Olympic truce resolution was first adopted at the United Nations the year before the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, based on a proposal by the International Olympic Committee.

       The latest truce was adopted in December 2019 at the U.N. General Assembly.

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