The 138th Session (July 20-21) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved a change in the Olympic motto that recognises the unifying power of sport and the importance of solidarity. The change adds the word “together” after an en dash to “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. The new Olympic motto now reads: “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”.
The IOC members unanimously approved the update and amended the Olympic Charter.
In his remarks before the vote, IOC President Bach explained the link between the change and the original motto: “Solidarity fuels our mission to make the world a better place through sport. We can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger by standing together — in solidarity.”
The Olympic motto was adopted with the launch of the Olympic Movement in 1894 at the urging of founder Pierre de Coubertin, who wanted a slogan that expressed excellence in sport. The update also addresses the IOC’s goal to use sport to encourage global solidarity around the values of sport.
The motto in Latin would be “Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter” and in French: “Plus vite, Plus haut, Plus fort – Ensemble”.
After the vote, President Bach stressed the importance of solidarity within the Olympic Movement and beyond: “We want to put a strong focus on solidarity. That’s what the word ‘together’ means — solidarity.”
