In Ancient Olympia and the facilities of the International Olympic Academy, its 144th Council began ILO (International Olympic Committee), in the presence of the President of the Republic Konstantinou Tasoula.
The launch of the ILO summit, which had many great sports people, took place for the first time in Ancient Olympia, with the ILO accepting the Greek Olympic Committee’s request for foreign visitors to get to know the place where the Olympics were born and tour the Olympics. The President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas In his speech at the ceremony, he suggested that each time of the new ILO president be held in ancient Olympia, stating:
“We are right here, at this spiritual center of Olympism, next to the Alfios River and under the crown hill, next to the archaeological site of Olympia, where the ideals of peace, excellence and noble emperor were born.
Let me at this point, dare to express a thought as a wish. A proposal, I would say, to the honorable members of the International Olympic Committee: Why not establish, as a sponds in the area where he gave birth to the Olympics, the election of the new ILO president every time to be held here in Ancient Olympia!
As the symbolism broadcast by Ancient Olympia, as a sacred birthplace and eternal soul of the Olympic movement, fits perfectly with the multifaceted cultural, social, athletic and humanitarian work that the ILO leader undertakes every time, you would contribute to this way.
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Olympic family, in a dizzying international environment, at the expense of multiple challenges, the concept of truce becomes more timely than ever, being a powerful symbol of peace and dialogue. In this light, the role of the International Olympic Committee is of prime importance, as it contributes to the promotion of the coexistence of peoples and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
I would like to assure you that Greece, as a cradle of Olympism, but also as a modern, powerful democracy and a non -permanent member of the UN Security Council will not stop struggling for the ideals of peace, humanity and justice. At the same time, we will continue to work closely with the International Olympic Committee to achieve the goals of the Olympic Agenda. “
Great guests from all over the world, Olympians, champions and members of the ILO, were welcomed by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Isidoros Kouvelosemphasizing the symbols of ancient Olympia:
“The start of the election of the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee is an event of the utmost importance and symbolism, which takes place in Ancient Olympia – the eternal heart of Olympism. The lighthouse of excellence, peace and unity, where the ancient Olympic truce demanded the war states to put aside their conflicts in the name of peace and the good fight.
Today, in a world covered with uncertainty, Olympia rises as an eternal lighthouse of peace, unity and unlimited spirit of mankind. Here, where the Olympic ideals were brought for the first time, we are reminded that sport can build bridges where others stand up. Faced with the turmoil, the Olympic flame does not flicker – it burns brighter than ever, inviting us to embrace not what divides us, but everything that unites us.
Because, as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to overcome it.” And today, in this sacred place, we are raised – not as a nations separated, but as an Olympic family, tied to the common belief that through respect, friendship and good fight, we can form a future where peace will not only be an ideal, but an ideal one. “
The president of the ILO Thomas Bach He has approved Greece’s praise for the excellent organization and emphasized that “the Greeks and Greek culture gave mankind two things, for which we are grateful: democracy and the Olympics”. The ILO member in Greece Spyros Capralos, in his address, reiterated his proposal to hold the elections for the promotion of the ILO president always in Ancient Olympia.
The artistic part of the Startment Ceremony was inspired and created by the choreographer of the Flame Flame Flame Artemis Ignatiou, presenting a percussion with percussion symbolizing the heart of Baron Pierre de Cuberten who is beating in Ancient Olympia as well as traditional dances.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Sports Yiannis Broutsis, MP Dora Bakoyannis, Secretary General of Sports George Mavrotas, EOE Plenary Members and a large number of Olympians and champions.
Prior to the ceremony, at the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia, the same Experience, the President of the Hellenic Republic had a special conversation with the President of the ILO Thomas Bach, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos and the member of the Greek Olympic Committee.
The day began with a symbolic planting of an olive tree, in the garden of the Old Town Hall of Ancient Olympia, by the President of the Republic, Mr. Konstantinos Tasoula, the President of the ILO, Mr. Thomas Bach, the President of the Greek Olympic Committee, Mr.