The Olympic Truce is an Olympic Games tradition that protects both the host region of Greece, Elis, as well as the athletes and spectators from violence. The truce was introduced in 1896 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to promote peace during the games. Although athletes and spectators still face dangers at sporting events today, the IOC has not issued a general truce for subsequent games. Since its inception, the truce has been observed throughout Greece during the Olympics. Even after the end of the games, the truce is usually maintained until local authorities can be notified that sports have ended for the day. During peacetime periods such as Labor Day or Christmas, the truce is also observed nationally. The concept behind the truce is simple: all violence is prohibited within the boundaries of each venue during the time that sports are taking place. This includes attacks with weapons, explosives, and anything else that could be used to injure another person. Violence is also prohibited outside of these areas, but only law enforcement officers are allowed to use force to prevent incidents outside of competition days. Attacks on athletes or coaches who have not yet begun their events are considered violations of the truce, and the perpetrators will usually be fined or even arrested by police at the scene.