The World Union of Olympic Cities deal was finalised in Athens, the host of the Summer Games in 1896 and 2004 and one of the signatories.

Joining the Greek capital is Beijing, which became the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics when it staged the latter in February.

The Chinese capital staged the Summer Games in 2008.

Other signatories include the next three hosts of the Summer Olympics - Paris which will take centre stage in 2024, Los Angeles which is due to welcome the Games in 2028 and Brisbane for 2032.

Paris also hosted in 1924 while Los Angeles was the host city in both 1932 and 1984.

Brisbane has never staged the Olympics before.

Barcelona, the 1992 Summer Olympics host, has also signed, while the list has been completed by five winter venues.

Lake Placid staged the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, while St Moritz in Switzerland did so in 1928 and 1948.

Pyeongchang, the 2018 Winter Olympic host, and Chamonix, which staged the first Games in 1924, have also signed.

Lausanne, the Olympic capital where many sporting organisations are based, is another signatory having staged the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2020.

All of the cities have pledged to "raise awareness, advocate and promote health-related sport and physical activity approaches, initiatives, and projects as well as empower relevant managers and decision-makers to use sport and physical activity as leverage for action on physical and mental health".

"Throughout the global health crisis, cities have shown themselves to be particularly committed and innovative in searching for solutions, developing new spaces, evolving practices, and serving inhabitants - particularly those suffering from isolation," the World Union of Olympic Cities said.

"With its vision to build a better world through sport, and its ambition to contribute to sustainable development globally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) fully supports the Olympic cities' commitment to promote the health benefits of inclusive sport in the post-pandemic world.

"The IOC is supporting all past and future Olympic cities to leverage the power of the Olympic Games to continue creating long-term, sustainable benefits of the local population.

"With unique status and high visibility, Olympic cities set an example and are leaders in reinforcing the virtuous circle of sport, health and the environment."

The agreement follows on from the Call for Action on Sport and Active Cities deal, which the Union signed with The Association for International Sport for All in 2019.

This project was launched on the sidelines of Lausanne 2020.