Greece commemorates birth of modern Olympic Games

By Antonia Komarkowski

Olympic Day is held annually over Summer in Greece, commemorating the birth of the modern Olympic Games in 1894, aiming to encourage fitness, well-being, culture and education, along with promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.

To celebrate this occasion, special events were held across Athens, Thessaloniki and Ancient Olympia with the participation of thousands of citizens. They were organised by the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), as well as by Greek and international sporting stars.

At the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the National Olympic Academy and the Athanasios K. Laskaridis Public Benefit Foundation in the framework of the Olympic Day 2018 held an event titled "A Great Sea, Environment - Sports - Volunteerism.”

In Thessaloniki, in collaboration with the Olympic Museum ‘Protergia', the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the National Olympic Academy, there was a 5 km race, which saw Olympians, world champions, athletes and thousands of people take part in the event. Spyros Gianniotis, Greek Olympic silver medalist, two-time World Champion, World Cup gold medalist, and two-time European Champion was also present. 

Hundreds of people of all ages and from all around the world, also took part in sport and artistic events in Ancient Olympia. This included attending the 58th Session for Young Participants of the International Olympic Academy. The days events was also attended by two Olympians Greek weightlifter Giorgos Tzelilis and Kenyan Long Distance Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge.

*Source: insidethegames.biz