THE OPENING CEREMONY took place on Saturday afternoon in Ancient Ilida.

In her address, the President of SYMPOLITEIA OLYMPIAS AMKE, Sofia Hintziou–Kontogianni, among other remarks, emphasized:
“Today, when Greece and the global community are living through conditions similar to those that forced Ifitos, the King of Ilida, to turn to the Pythia asking how the Greeks could live in concord, and to receive the exhortation— the oracle ‘tὸn Olympikὸn agōna ananeōsasthai’ (‘renew the Olympic Games’), today more than ever, the application of the Truce as an Olympic value is necessary. We must remember what unites us, not what divides us. The Truce must be brought to the forefront and respect for it must become—just as it was in antiquity—a prerequisite for participation in the modern Olympic Games as well.”

During the ceremony, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the runner who lost his life last year shortly before the finish.

THE MAYOR OF ILIDA

In his address, the Mayor of Ilida, Mr. Christos Christodoulopoulos, thanked the organizers and the runners for their participation, stressed the universality of the Olympic Truce—which today seems more relevant than ever—highlighted the invaluable value that Ancient Ilida adds to the world cultural map, and announced that, in cooperation with the Municipality of Ancient Olympia, the Municipality of Ilida is bidding to host the 2027 International Children’s Games.

Specifically, he said:

“The Municipality of Ilida is pleased to participate in this year’s ‘Route of Truce’, which is organized every year with great success by Sympoliteia Olympias.

It is a great joy and honor for us to be here and, for about ten years now, to be part of this symbolic event, which revives the principles of Peace, Solidarity and mutual respect, values that have illuminated the course of humanity and of the Western world for centuries.

The Municipality of Ilida has embraced the Route of Truce not only for its immense historical value and cultural heritage, but also because it contributes to the overall promotion of our region—thanks to its beautiful mountainous route and the use of Armatova for the needs of the event during the years characterized as Olympic.

With pleasure we see the Route of Truce evolving each year and improving its organizational structure, something that makes us especially proud of our decision to be actively involved.

We are pleased with every effort being made to highlight the greatness of our land—the birthplace and organizing city of the ancient Olympic Games, 2,800 years ago.

Ancient Ilida was the only city without walls, simply because it did not need them, since it had only friends and allies.

These universal ideas led us, together with Ancient Olympia, to bid to host the International Children’s Games in 2027—the largest sporting event in our region in its modern version.

An event that brings great competitions back to the place that gave meaning to terms such as ‘fair play’, ‘ever to excel’, and ‘noble competition’.

An event that will host in our region more than 2,000 people.

Such actions are particularly critical and useful for our area at a time when efforts are being made to undermine it.

At a time when the modern guardians of the Olympic Games sought—and managed—to elect the President of the International Olympic Committee far from the sacred lands of Olympism.

They brought to Olympia only the opening ceremony, while diminishing the presence of the mayors of both Ancient Olympia and Ilida, forgetting that without the unified Olympic landscape of Ilia, this idea would never have been born.

For this reason, all of us together must constantly claim what is self-evident and what is historically due to us.

In this context, we wish that the ‘Route of Truce’ becomes a path of Peace for the whole world and continues to promote, across the globe, the values of Olympism and the Truce that our land gave birth to.

Best of luck to all participants, and have a good route.”

• Afterwards, Mrs. Kontogianni invited Giannis Kouros—ultra-distance runner, holder of over 150 world records, a modern-day hemerodromos with major international distinctions over the years—to describe the emotions he felt when, last year in Ancient Olympia, shortly before the Olympic Games in Paris, he signed on behalf of everyone—runners, organizers and volunteers of the “Route of Truce”—the Olympic Truce Declaration.

The Opening Ceremony concluded with a concert by Theologos Anagnostopoulos and Vana Angelopoulou, who energized the participating runners with traditional and popular dances.

Among those present at the opening ceremony were: the Mayor of Ilida Mr. Christos Christodoulopoulos, the President of the Municipal Council of Ilida Mrs. Theoni Georgopoulou, the Presidents of the local communities of Ilida Christos Gourdoubas, Kalyvia Andr. Kormpakis and Avgeio Prokopis Georgios, the Deputy Mayors Georgios Krallis (Sports, Tourism Promotion & Youth), Kon. Tserionis (Technical Works, Infrastructure & Water Resources), Kostas Anagnostopoulos (Pineia & Primary Sector), Municipal Councillor Kon. Koutroubis, the Cultural & Promotion Advisor to the Municipality of Ilida Magda Christodoulopoulou, Olympian Giorgos Tzelilis, World Champion Maria Christoforidi, TAEKWONDO World Champion Maria Karpathaki, Balkan Champion Argyroula Giannikaki, ultra-runner Giannis Kouros, Greek record holder and Director of ASAEF Spyros Andriopoulos, ultra-distance swimmer Spyros Chrysikopoulos, presidents of local cultural associations, runners and a large crowd.

Local treats were offered to attendees by the Cultural Associations of Ancient Ilida, Kalyvia (Ilida) and Fileas of Avgeio, as well as by the Association of Cleaners of School Buildings of the Prefecture of Ilia.

All events were organized by Sympoliteia Olympias AMKE, with co-organizers the Region of Western Greece, the Municipalities of Ilida, Pyrgos and Ancient Olympia, the Supreme Council for Sports of the Armed Forces (ASAEF), and the collaborating support body, the International Olympic Truce Centre, with the support of the Region of Attica and #BEACTIVE. They were held under the auspices of the relevant Ministries and institutions; with volunteer support from rescue and scouting organizations, and with communication sponsors including public media and sports press partners.

In an effort to keep alive the history and values of our land, we would like to warmly thank our supporters and suppliers for their support and contribution, which greatly assists in promoting and achieving our purpose: Loux, bottled water Dirfys, AVANCE car rental, Karavias Art Insurance, KYKNOS Hellenic Canning Company S.A., and suppliers/supporters including BIOLANTA biscuits, GAIAOHOS CAPITAL S.A., AMKE AIGEAS, Xenia – The Hospitality Experience, KTIMA BRINTZIKI, X-TREME STORES, DOLE, Panachaiki Union of Cooperatives, the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHEAS), Kalomoiris ILVIGAL, Fargeco Hellas, PANINI FOODS, Karnaros bakery.

The organizers also warmly thank the Hellenic Police for coordination and the safe conduct of the activities, as well as the presidents of the local communities, cultural associations and residents of all communities along the Route of Truce for the excellent hospitality they provided to the runners of the Route of Truce 2025.