The Frame of Peace mural has been installed in the Olympic Village Plaza.

Bach said: “Today we are inaugurating the Olympic Truce Mural here at the beating heart of the Olympic Games, the Olympic Village. 

“It is here where the Olympic spirit comes to life.

“The athletes show us that, despite all our differences, it is possible for humankind to live together in peace. 

“This is our Olympic message: yes, it is possible to compete with each other, even for the highest prize, but at the same time to live together peacefully under one roof in the Olympic Village.

“It is in this Olympic spirit that I invite you to leave your signature on the Olympic Truce Mural, to show your commitment to making a better and more peaceful world through sport.”

Bach was joined by Village Mayor Saburo Kawabuchi, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, representatives of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission and Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto for the inauguration.

“Now is the time for us to join hands and pass on the importance of peace to following generations,” governor Koike said.

“Along with being a celebration of sport, the Games are also a celebration of peace that goes beyond ethnic and national borders. 

“I believe that it is because the world upholds and respects these values of the Games that so many countries have been able to surmount the COVID-19 crisis to gather here in Tokyo.”

The mural in the village has become a tradition to support the Olympic Truce which came into force three days ago. 

Although technically the Olympiad is the entire four-year period, the Truce only runs until the end of the Paralympic Games on September 5.

Tokyo 2020 President Hashimoto said: “With the arrival of representatives from all over the world in Tokyo, I believe the time of darkness and division caused by the spread of COVID-19 is slowly coming to an end and a new era of peace and solidarity is beginning.

“Here in Tokyo, I hope the athletes will add their signature on the mural, calling as the voice of the Olympic Games for peace all over the world.”

A video message from United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres was played, while the words of Marina Ikeda, winner of the Tokyo 2020 High School Student English speech contest, were also heard at the ceremony.