13/4/2024
THE OPENING CEREMONY began with the awards presented to participants in the Routes of Iphitos and Heracles, as well as to the heralds of the “Route of Olympic Truce 2024”, Steffanos Von Theos and Kostas Hatzis.

Subsequently, Mr. Christodoulopoulos honored Yiannis Kouros, an ultra-distance runner, holder of over 150 world records, a modern-day hemerodromos with significant international distinctions over the years and a four-time winner of the “Spartathlon”, along with Maria Karpathaki, a world champion in Taekwondo and #BEACTIVE ambassador. Both were also heralds of the Route of Heracles, and were recognized for their outstanding contribution and support of the “Route of Olympic Truce”.

In his greeting, the Mayor of Ilida, Mr. Christos Christodoulopoulos, after thanking the organizers and the runners for their participation in this year’s race, underlined the universal nature of the Olympic Truce, which today seems more relevant than ever, and pointed out the invaluable significance that Ancient Ilida holds on the global cultural map.

The ceremony concluded with a concert by the band BANDA MORENA, who energized and thrilled the participants.

At the entrance of the Theatre of Ilida, paintings created by children of Ilia on the theme of the Olympic Games were exhibited, from the art school of Mr. Kristo Defrim Hasa.

The Route of Iphitos took place as part of the #BEACTIVE actions.

Among those present were: the Mayor of Ilida Mr. Christos Christodoulopoulos; the Presidents of the Local Communities of Amaliada, Panagiotis Giannopoulos, and Ilida, Christos Gourdoubas; and the Deputy Mayors for Sports, Tourism Promotion and Youth, Georgios Krallis; for Technical Works, Infrastructure and Water Resources, Konstantinos Tserionis; for Health, Welfare and Social Solidarity, Ilias Efstathopoulos; former MP Giorgos Kontogiannis; Olympian Giorgos Tzelilis; Balkan champion Argyroula Giannikaki; and world champion Maria Christoforidou.

Members of RUN Amaliada were present, volunteering both along the entire route and by running together with the young runners.

Refreshments were offered to attendees by the Cultural Association of Ancient Ilida.

Welcoming the guests, the President of the FEDERATION OF OLYMPIA, Ms. Sofia Hintziou–Kontogianni, stressed:
“Today, when Greece and the global community are living conditions similar to those that compelled Iphitos, the King of Ilida, to turn to the Pythia asking how the Greeks would unite, and to receive the exhortation—oracle ‘to renew the Olympic Games’, today more than ever, the implementation of the Truce as an Olympic value is necessary. Let us remember what unites us, not what divides us. The Olympic Flame, which will set off from this sacred place on Tuesday, may be the force that unites and brings the global community into concord—and all the runners, organizers, volunteers, all of us, with our modest means, support its journey.”

On Monday, in Ancient Olympia, at the Archaeological Museum area, Yiannis Kouros signed the “Declaration of the Olympic Truce”, representing the runners of the Routes of Truce.

Unfortunately, shortly before the events and this celebration of the Truce and Peace came to an end, a tragic incident occurred. One of the runners who participated again this year in the Route of Truce collapsed shortly before the Pelopion. First aid was immediately provided by the event’s doctor, who was accompanying the runners along with the Hellenic Red Cross Samaritans, and CPR was initiated. An EKAB ambulance also arrived promptly and transported him to the Ancient Olympia Health Center. Sadly, although the doctors made persistent efforts, they were unable to keep him alive.

And while we should have been optimistic that, in these difficult days for humanity, together with hundreds of our fellow human beings—Greeks and foreigners—we carried the message of brotherhood and peace along a 50 km route without a competitive character, we are now experiencing profound grief over the loss of a human life—a Runner of the Truce…

The members of the Federation of Olympia express our deep sorrow for this tragic incident and extend our condolences to his family. May the earth that covers him be light.

All events are organized by the Federation of Olympia (Non-Profit Company) and co-organized with the Region of Western Greece, the Municipalities of Ilida, Pyrgos and Ancient Olympia, the Supreme Council for Sports in the Armed Forces (ASAED), with the International Olympic Truce Centre as cooperating support body, supported by #BEACTIVE, and held under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defence; Education, Religious Affairs and Sports; Rural Development and Food; Tourism; the International Military Sports Council (CISM); the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC); the International Olympic Academy (IOA); the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO); the National Olympic Academy (NOA); the Association of Olympic Participants; the Hellenic Olympians Association; with technical support by the War Museum; media sponsors ERT, ERT3, ERA SPOR 101.8, ERT Pyrgos, Proto Programma, PSAT, RunningNews.gr, OVI, apopseis.gr, Greekteachers; and volunteer support by the Hellenic Red Cross Samaritan–Rescuer–Lifeguard Corps (Amaliada Regional Section), Hellenic Scouts – Ilioupoli Scouts, E.O.PY.D. Vrachnaika, RUN AMALIADA, etc.

We warmly thank the Hellenic Police for their support throughout the events, our doctors, the Hellenic Red Cross Regional Section of Pyrgos, and the Hellenic Red Cross Samaritan–Rescuer–Lifeguard Volunteer Corps (Amaliada branch), who were continuously by the runners’ side providing medical coverage. Today, the Corps constitutes the largest and most active volunteer first-aid, rescue and lifeguard organization in Greece, with extensive experience in such events; it was a great source of safety, reassurance, and an honor that they supported the runners once again this year.

In our effort to keep alive in our memory the history and values of our land, we would like to thank our supporters for their support and contribution, which greatly helps promote and achieve our mission: Loux, Dirfys bottled water, AVANCE Car Rental, BEFON, AMKE AIGEAS, DOLE, BRINTZIKI ESTATE, the Panachaiki Union of Cooperatives (for the excellent raisins), Kalomoiris ILVIGAL, and finally the ITI/BAA in the territorial unit of the Municipalities of Pyrgos, Ilida and Ancient Olympia, “WESTERN GREECE” Programme co-financed by Greece and the European Union, NSRF 2021–2027.