The Federation of Olympia honored the sport of Sailing and Greek seamanship with an event and an art exhibition, as part of the 8th Route of Truce.

In celebration of the “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace”, within the framework of the 8th Route of Truce—to be held on May 7 from Ancient Ilida to Ancient Olympia—the FEDERATION OF OLYMPIA honored the sport of Sailing and Greek seamanship in a celebration of the Navy and the Greek Sea.

With the presentation of outstanding paintings from the 19th century through the early 20th century, belonging to Private Collections, the Federation of Olympia launched its activities at the welcoming venue of the Athens War Museum, under the title: “Great is the dominion of the sea.”

During the event, Sailing athletes and Greek seamanship were honored for their distinctions, ethos, and contribution to the Olympic ideal.

All speakers praised the work of the Federation of Olympia and the organization of the Route of Truce, which has now become an established institution.

The event was welcomed by the President of the Federation of Olympia, Ms. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni.

Then, the Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre, Dr. Konstantinos Filis, together with the Deputy Director of the IOTC, Ms. Dora Palli, presented the Olympic Truce Award to the Olympic gold medalist Mr. Ioannis Melissanidis.

A video message was screened from the President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), Colonel Dirk Schwede.

The Governor of Attica, Mr. Giorgos Patoulis, stated that the Route of Truce is a timeless and ever-relevant initiative. Its implementation leads to peace, which means progress for all peoples and securing a better future for our children. For these reasons, he emphasized, the Region of Attica supports in every way the actions of the Federation of Olympia and the organization of the Route of Truce.

The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral (HN) Ioannis Drymousis, referred to the enduring contribution of the Hellenic Navy to Greece’s independence and security and thanked the organizers for the honorary distinction, noting that through his person all the men and women of the Hellenic Navy are being honored.

The President of the International Olympic Academy, Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos, pointed out that through the Federation of Olympia’s actions and the Route of Truce, the entire region of Ilia is being highlighted.

Associate Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sport Science of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ms. Konstantina Goggaki, developed the topic: “Great is the dominion of the sea,” stressing that the “naval art” of the ancient Greeks was developed to such a degree that it became the cornerstone upon which the entire edifice of antiquity was built, as well as the country’s survival and the consolidation of its freedom. (Full text of her speech HERE)

The honorary awards followed:

The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral (HN) Ioannis Drymousis, was honored as a continuator of the Greeks’ naval tradition from antiquity to the present day, in times of both peace and war, and above all as a guardian of Development and Peace. The award was presented to the Admiral by the President of the Federation of Olympia, Ms. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni.

The President of the Panhellenic Offshore Sailing Club, Mr. Ioannis Marangoudakis, was honored for his contribution and long-standing service to improving naval art and preserving the Greeks’ maritime tradition. The award was presented by Deputy Minister for Migration and Asylum Ms. Sofia Voultepsi.

The Nautical Club of Greece was represented by Ms. Eliza Prokopiou, First Vice President of the Club. She was honored for the Club’s contribution and long-standing service to Greek seamanship and to promoting faith in the sea as an element of life and national progress. The award was presented by MP for Ilia Ms. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou.

The Nautical Club of Andros, and its President Ms. Antikleia Trikoglou, were honored for their contribution and long-standing service to Greek seamanship. The award was presented by SYRIZA MP for Ilia Mr. D. Kalamatianos.

AMKE AIGEAS and Mr. Athanasios Martinos—represented by Mr. Giorgos Giannakas—were honored by the Deputy Mayor of Pyrgos, Mr. Giannis Varelas.

Awards to distinguished Sailing athletes followed:

• Olympic gold medalist (Rome 1960, Dragon) Odysseas Eskitzoglou: his daughters Christina and Katerina were honored by the President of the International Olympic Academy, Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos.
• Olympic gold medalist (Rome 1960, Dragon) Georgios Zaimis: his nephew Andreas Polemis attended; he was honored by the President of the International Olympic Academy, Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos.
• Olympic gold medalist (Athens 2004, 470) Ms. Sofia Bekatorou was honored by the President of OPANDA and representative of the Mayor of Athens Mr. K. Bakoyannis, Ms. Niki Arampatzi.
• Olympic gold medalist (Athens 2004, 470) Ms. Aimilía Tsoúlfá was honored by the Deputy Regional Governor of Western Greece, Mr. Theod. Vasilopoulos.
• Olympic bronze medalist (Rio 2016, 470) Mr. Panagiotis Mantis was honored by the representative of the War Museum, General Mr. Menios Kragkaris. Mr. Mantis also received the award on behalf of Mr. Pavlos Kagialis, who was abroad for competitions.
• Olympic bronze medalist (Beijing 2008, Yngling) Ms. Sofia Papadopoulou was honored by Ms. Dora Palli and the Dean of the University of the Peloponnese, Mr. Takis Alexopoulos.
• Paralympian sailor Mr. Theodoros Alexa was honored by the President of PSAT, Mr. Giannis Theodorakopoulos.

Collectors Mr. Giannis Karalivanos, Mr. Pavlos Aimiliou Prosalentis, and Professor Dr. Michail Skoullos were also honored, as they provided selected paintings from their private collections to be exhibited specifically for the exhibition “Great is the dominion of the sea.” The three collectors were honored by the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral (HN) Ioannis Drymousis, and Ms. Sofia Voultepsi.

The event closed with Dr. Konstantinos Bouras, poet and theatre critic, who recited his poem: “Sea Astarte, Artemis, Aphrodite, Aphaia…”

In the art exhibition, curated by art historian Ms. Annita Patsouraki, 100 paintings were presented by distinguished artists of Greek art from the 19th century through the first half of the 20th century. It was a historical and thematic selection tour from three important, recognized private collections. Works by Volanakis, Prosalentis, Chatzis, Maleas, Lytras, Zairis, Altamouras, Kalogeropoulos, Cheimonas and others—some of which were shown to the public for the first time—were made available thanks to the kind contribution of the owners: Mr. Giannis Karalivanos, Mr. Pavlos Aimiliou Prosalentis and Professor Dr. Michail Skoullos.

The presentation of the paintings was enriched with sculptures by contemporary Greek artists: Gavalas Stelios, Goumas Charalambos, Goulandri Olga, Zivas Nikos, Korovessi Angelika, Bardis Giannis, Palaska Alexandra, Papoutsidis Nikos-Giorgos, Pressas Haris, Rinas Vangelis, Roussis Giorgos, Skourtis Angelos.

With micro-sculpture/jewelry creations, the following participated: Haris Apergi (who offered women Olympians a scarf designed especially for the event), Mary Samoli, Kaity Tazedaki. Exceptionally, a painting by Lefteris Kluvatos was presented as a bridge between the ancient and the contemporary, in line with the message of the Federation of Olympia.

The exhibition closed on Friday, April 7, 2023.

The coordination and presentation of the event were undertaken by Botsis Award-winning journalists Nikos StefOS and Spyridoula Irida Spanea.

Among others, the following athletes attended: Lieutenant Commander Florentia Sfakianou (Olympian diver), Lieutenant Commander Stylianos Sotiriou (World Champion sailor), Lieutenant Commander Vlassis Maras (World Champion artistic gymnastics), Captain Georgios Fragkos (World Champion windsurfing), Captain Kallinikos Kreanga (World Champion table tennis), Squadron Leader Maria Christoforidou (World Champion weightlifting), Flight Lieutenant Maria Louiza Vryoni (Olympian wrestler), Wing Commander Ioannis Melissanidis (Olympian artistic gymnastics).

Among others, we were honored by the presence of: Eirini Ntaifa, Grigoris Lamprakis, Ilona Pagida, Fotis Zachos, Foteini Vryna, Gogo Atzoletaki, the Ambassador of Cuba, Thodoris Roumpanis, Katerina Tzika, Dimitris Valasis, Ariadni Zolota, Panagiotis Filntisis, Sofia Varouxi, Dionysia Brintziki, Ioanna Lourida, Route of Truce runners, and many friends of the Organization.

All actions are organized by the Federation of Olympia 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, with the International Olympic Truce Centre as cooperating support body, with the support of the Region of Attica and #BEACTIVE, and technical support by the Athens War Museum. They are held under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defence; Culture and Sports (G.G.A.); Shipping and Island Policy; Rural Development and Food; Tourism; the International Military Sports Council (CISM); the Hellenic Olympic Committee; the International Olympic Academy; the Greek National Tourism Organisation; the National Olympic Academy; the Association of Olympic Participants; the Hellenic Olympians Association; with volunteer support by the Samaritan–Rescuer–Lifeguard Corps (Amaliada Regional Section), the Scouts of Ilioupoli, E.O.PY.D. Vrachnaika, and S.E.DI.P. of Western Achaia.

Media Sponsors: ERT, ERT-3, Proto Programma, ERA SPOR, ERT Pyrgos, Panhellenic Sports Press Association (PSAT), Athens 9.84, RunningNews.gr, OVImagazine, apopseis.gr, Greekteachers.

Official Supporters: Karavias art insurance, PTL Papageorgiou Transport Logistics, PMS Security, AMKE AIGEAS, Avance Car Rental, Befon, Loux, Dirfys.

Suppliers/Supporters: Biolis, BRINTZIKI ESTATE, FarGeco Hellas, Spiroulina PLATENSIS, KALOMOIRIS ILVIGAL.