IRNA - The first diplomatic Olympiad, entitled 'Peace and Friendship,' will be held at the same time with the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution victory in Iran.

�The festival wants to convey the message of peace and friendship to the world through sports while Iran is under unilateral sanctions of the United States,' said Reza Abdi, director of Association of Public Sport of Iranian foreign ministry.

The Olympiad will be hosted as January 18 will kick off with participation of Iranian diplomats and foreign diplomats in Tehran in chess, table tennis and futsal hosted by the relevant federations, Abdi said, noting that the Association of Public Sport is working to maintain Iran's political dignity.