More than 200 participants from 12 countries of the “Iniochos 2024” exercise ran for the Olympic Truce

With warm smiles and olive branches from the sacred land of Olympia, young priestesses welcomed at the premises of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Ancient Olympia more than 200 participants (pilots and personnel) of the Air Force Exercise “Iniochos 2024”, who took part in the Route of Kleosthenis, a 5 km run from Ancient Pisa to Ancient Olympia.

The Air Force Exercise “Iniochos 2024” is conducted at the Andravida Air Base with the participation of 12 countries (France, United Kingdom, USA, Spain, Qatar, Cyprus, Montenegro, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Portugal and Germany).

The symbolic Route of Truce was dedicated to Kleosthenis, King of Pisa. Pisa was the first host city of the ancient Olympic Games, and its king, Kleosthenis, together with Ifitos, King of Ilida, and Lycurgus of Sparta, were the three rulers of Ancient Greece who co-signed the Treaty of the Olympic Truce, observed prior to the celebration of the Games.

Accepting the invitation of the exercise organisers, the Federation of Olympia, in cooperation once again with ASAED, the Municipality of Ancient Olympia and the Local Community of Ancient Pisa, organised this symbolic Route of Truce dedicated to Kleosthenis, aiming to highlight the Olympic Values and, in particular, the message of the Olympic Truce.

The President of the Local Community of Pisa, Mr. Sofoklis Sofianopoulos, welcomed the participants of “Iniochos 2024” who ran in the Route of Truce and thanked the organisers and the Commander of KEAT, Brigadier General (AF) Matthaios Kanoupakis, for selecting Pisa.

Subsequently, Mr. Konstantinos Kontogiannis, member of the Federation of Olympia, welcomed the participants and, in his address, explained the meaning of the Olympic Truce in the modern era, the efforts of the Federation of Olympia to promote the principles of the Olympic Spirit as shaped during the organisation and conduct of the ancient Olympic Games, and highlighted the vision of making the Federation’s actions a bridge between the ancient and the modern world.

The Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Mr. Aristeidis Panagiotopoulos, welcomed the runners to the land where the Olympic Games were born and noted that 2,800 years have passed since the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, as well as 100 years since the previous Olympic Games of 1924 in Paris. He encouraged the participants to carry the message of the Olympic Truce and the Olympic Values back to their home countries.

Finally, the Commander of KEAT, Brigadier General (AF) Matthaios Kanoupakis, noted that for Air Force pilots the Olympic Truce holds special significance, as it represents the prelude to peace.

Following this, the President of the Local Community of Pisa, Mr. S. Sofianopoulos, honoured the Commander of KEAT, Brigadier General (AF) Matthaios Kanoupakis.

The starting signal was given by young priestesses from the dance group “En Choro” of Zacharo, who, after completing their ritual dance, presented an olive branch from the sacred land of Olympia to the Commander of KEAT, Brigadier General (AF) Matthaios Kanoupakis, and to the Director of ASAED, Navy Captain Spyridon Andriopoulos.

At the finish line, within the welcoming grounds of the Stadium of the International Olympic Academy, an olive branch and a commemorative medal for all runners, presented by the young girls, were the finest reward for their participation.