500 runners from 17 countries at the Route of Truce for Peace

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500 runners from 17 countries at the Route of Truce for Peace

A strong message in difficult times, but also grief for the loss of a fellow runner

In an atmosphere of enthusiasm, fellowship, respect, emotion, and also grief over the sudden death of a Route of Truce runner, the three-day events of SYMPOLITEIA OLYMPIAS AMKE in Ilia for the “Route of Olympic Truce 2024” were concluded on Sunday.

Athletes from all over Greece, as well as from abroad, walked the 50 kilometers of the Route of Truce trail from the organizing city of the ancient Olympic Games, Ancient Ilida, to their place of celebration, Ancient Olympia.

The runners started on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 06:45 a.m. from the entrance of the Old Museum of Ancient Ilida. They passed through the villages of Dafni, Keramidia, Dafniotissa, Peristeri, Cheimadio, Sopi, Karatoula, Magoula, Latzoi, Herakleia, Pournari, Pelopio and Platanos and finished at the Old Town Hall of Ancient Olympia, where the awards ceremony also took place.

In the “Route of Olympic Truce 2024” approximately 500 runners took part from Greece and from 16 countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, France, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Spain, Hungary, Austria, Britain, Italy, the USA, the Philippines, Albania, Romania), powerfully conveying the message of Peace as “forerunners” of the Olympic period that began with the Lighting of the Olympic Flame in Ancient Olympia. A particularly moving and symbolically significant moment was the awarding of the participants from Russia and Ukraine, who were invited for their awards together.

The “Route of Olympic Truce 2024” took place on the ecotourism route Ilida–Olympia: the “Route of Truce”. It had no competitive character, and unique numbered medals were awarded to the runners who completed the 50 km route. The medal was designed by Charis Apergi, jewelry designer. This year, the peace walk was led by Steffanos Von Theos from Germany (a well-known Philhellene who, upon retiring, came to settle permanently in Greece) and by Kostas Hatzis (who lives permanently in the Netherlands, has participated in all Routes of Truce, and each year makes his own Route of Truce journey in order to come and take part).

In all villages along the route, the runners once again received the best possible hospitality from the residents—volunteers of the Route of Truce—who offered local delicacies, wishing to show that the philosophy of “Xenios Zeus” still exists in the land that gave birth to the Olympic Games.

The three-day events

The three-day events that took place within the framework of the “Route of Olympic Truce” began on Friday afternoon from Ancient Pisa.

Specifically:

The Race of Cleosthenes, from Ancient Pisa to Ancient Olympia (a 5 km race), honoring the king of Ancient Pisa, Cleosthenes.

With the symbolic participation of the world champion in weightlifting Maria Christoforidi, the Balkan champion in the 400 m Argyroula Giannikaki, and more than 100 runners from Greece and abroad, the runners started on Friday afternoon from Ancient Pisa, ran past the tombs of the Hellanodikai, the Temple of Demeter Chamyne, in front of the International Olympic Academy, and alongside the ancient Stadium of Olympia, finishing at the entrance of the Town Hall of Ancient Olympia.

The first three women are:
TSOUKALA KONSTANTINA (22’46.08)
ADAMOPOULOU MACHI (23’49.24)
GIANNIKOPoulou FOTEINI (25’00.05)

The first three men are:
TSOUKAS MARINOS (17’28.68)
STATHAKOPOULOS NIKOS (17’39.46)
VASILEIOU VASILEIOS (18’04.62)

At the event were present the president of the Local Community of Ancient Olympia Dimitris Panagiotis Paraskevopoulos, the Deputy Mayor of Ancient Olympia Antonis Chrysanthakopoulos, the Olympians Ioannis Melissanidis and Giorgos Tzelilis, the Balkan champion Argyroula Giannikaki, the world champion Maria Christoforidi, and the Director of ASAED and holder for 35 years of the Greek national marathon record Spyros Andriopoulos.

On Saturday morning a symbolic weapon-laying ceremony took place in the square of Agrapidochori in Pineia, opposite the hill of Armatova—opposite the hill where in antiquity athletes and spectators of the Olympic Games left their weapons and entered unarmed into the “sacred land of Zeus, Ilida”.

Two “ancient warriors” laid down their arms after the symbolic interruption of their dispute by a priestess, who then, after giving them a branch of wild olive, danced together with other priestesses, emphasizing the importance of stopping hostilities. The two warriors in turn handed the wild-olive branches, the eternal symbol of peace and also of the ancient Olympic Games, to the ultramarathon runner and modern-day hemerodromos Yiannis Kouros and to Maria Karpathaki, world champion in TAEKWONDO, #BEACTIVE ambassador, coach of the national TAEKWONDO team of the Armed Forces and Security Corps—thus giving the signal for the start of the Race of Heracles.

Present at the event were the President of the Municipal Council of Ilida Theoni Georgopoulou, the Deputy Mayor of Pineia Kostas Anagnostopoulos and many people, the president of the Local Community Chrysanthos Bantounas, expatriates who had come from Athens for the event, and a large crowd.

The priestesses were from the Dance School of Evita Keramida.

The RACE OF HERACLES was held for the second time in a deeply emotional atmosphere, led by Yiannis Kouros, Maria Karpathaki and Spyros Andriopoulos, immediately after the symbolic weapon-laying ceremony.

The athletes started from the square of Agrapidochori on Saturday morning for Ancient Ilida. Due to the Pineios dam (Lake Karamanlis), it was not possible to follow the ancient route; thus they passed through the villages of Latas, Efyra, Oraia, Keramidia and Dafni and ended at the theater of Ancient Ilida, where commemorative awards were given to the leaders and medals to all participants.

The RACE OF IFITOS took place on Saturday afternoon in Ancient Ilida. This symbolic race is dedicated to the king of Ilida, Ifitos, one of the founders of the Truce, who together with the king of Pisa Cleosthenes and the king of Sparta Lycurgus signed the Truce Pact.

Children from the 5th and 6th grades of primary school as well as from junior high school took part. The young runners started from the square of Ilida and finished at the wooden theater of Ancient Ilida, in a race of nearly 2 kilometers. All children were honored. However, special honors were given to the first finishers: one boy and one girl from primary school—Christodoulopoulos Dimitrios, Niki Marneri—and the first finishers: one boy and one girl from junior high school—Apostolos Ntemarinis and Maria Athanasopoulou.

 

THE OPENING CEREMONY began with the awarding of participants in the Races of Ifitos and Heracles, as well as the leaders of the “Route of Olympic Truce 2024”, Steffanos Von Theos and Kostas Hatzis.

Then Mr. Christodoulopoulos honored Yiannis Kouros, ultramarathon runner, holder of more than 150 world records, modern-day hemerodromos with significant international distinctions over the years and four-time winner of “Spartathlon”, and Maria Karpathaki, world champion in TAEKWONDO, #BEACTIVE ambassador, as leaders of the Race of Heracles and for their outstanding contribution and support to the “Route of Olympic Truce”.

In his address, the Mayor of Ilida Christos Christodoulopoulos, after thanking the organizers and runners for participating in this year’s event, emphasized the universality of the Olympic Truce, which today seems more relevant than ever, while also highlighting the invaluable value that Ancient Ilida adds to the global cultural map.

The ceremony closed with a concert by the music band BANDA MORENA, who energized the participants.

At the entrance of the Theater of Ilida, children’s paintings from Ilia on the theme of the Olympic Games were exhibited from the school of Kristo Defrim Hasa.

The Race of Ifitos took place within the framework of #BEACTIVE actions.

Present at the event were the Mayor of Ilida 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, Technical Works, Infrastructure and Water Resources Konstantinos Tserionis, Health, Welfare and Social Solidarity Ilias Efstathopoulos, former MP Giorgos Kontogiannis, Olympian Giorgos Tzelilis, Balkan champion Argyroula Giannikaki, and world champion Maria Christoforidi.

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

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

The President of SYMPOLITEIA OLYMPIAS, Sofia Hintziou–Kontogianni, welcoming the guests, stated: “Today, when Greece and the global community are living conditions similar to those that forced Ifitos, the king of Ilida, to turn to the Pythia asking how the Greeks would unite, 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. To remember what unites us and not what divides us. The Olympic Flame that will begin from this sacred place on Tuesday, may it be the one that unites and makes the global community come to concord; and all runners, organizers, volunteers—all of us—within our small 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 ended and this celebration of the Truce and Peace concluded, a tragic incident occurred. One of the runners who participated again this year in the Route of Truce collapsed shortly before Pelopio. He immediately received first aid from the event doctor who was following along with the Samaritans of the Hellenic Red Cross, and CPR was started. An EKAV ambulance arrived promptly and transported him to the Ancient Olympia Health Center. Sadly, although the doctors tried persistently, they were unable to keep him alive.

And while we should be optimistic that in these difficult days for humanity, together with hundreds of fellow Greeks and foreigners, we carried the message of fellowship and peace along a 50 km route without a competitive character, we experience profound sorrow for the loss of a human life—a Route of Truce runner…

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

All events are organized by Sympoliteia Olympias AMKE and co-organized with the Region of Western Greece, the Municipalities of Ilida, Pyrgos and Ancient Olympia, the Supreme Council for Sports of the Armed Forces (A.S.A.E.D.), with the International Olympic Truce Center as a 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 (ETHN.O.A.), the Union of Olympians (E.S.O.A.), the Association of Greek Olympians (S.E.O.), with technical support from the War Museum, media sponsors ERT, ERT3, ERA SPOR 101.8, ERT Pyrgos, Proto Programma, PSAT, Running News.gr, OVI, apopseis.gr, Greekteachers, and volunteer support from the Hellenic Red Cross (Volunteer Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corps, Amaliada Regional Branch), the Hellenic Scouts – Scouts of Ilioupoli, E.O.PY.D. Vrachnaikon, RUN AMALIADA, etc.

We warmly thank the Hellenic Police for their support throughout the events, our doctors, the HRC Regional Branch of Pyrgos and the HRC Volunteer Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corps, Amaliada Branch, who were continuously by the runners’ side providing medical coverage. The Corps is today the largest and most active volunteer first aid, rescue and lifeguarding organization in Greece, with vast experience in such events, and it was a great safety, reassurance and honor that they supported the runners again this year.

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

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The time has come to give meaning to the Olympic value of the truce that leads to peace

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The message of the 7th Route of Truce 50 km, from Ancient Ilida to Ancient Olympia

A “bridge” between the ancient and the modern, and an effort to highlight the Olympic value of the Truce—which is a prerequisite for peace—is the 50-kilometer “Route of Truce”, walked by hundreds of runners from Ancient Ilida, the city that hosted the Olympic Games in antiquity, to Ancient Olympia, the place where the Olympic Games were held and today a symbol of global sport and culture.

In this year’s 7th Route of Truce, held on Sunday, May 15, 450 runners took part, led by the legend—ultramarathon runner Mr. Giannis Kouros.

Official delegations from CISM (International Military Sports Council) participated from five countries (Greece, Lithuania, Hungary, Palestine and Saudi Arabia), while runners also took part from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Canada, Italy, England, Venezuela, Serbia, Albania and Spain.

The organizer of the Route of Truce is the Federation of Olympia, with co-organizers the Supreme Council for Sports of the Armed Forces (ASAED), the Region of Western Greece and the Municipalities of Ilida, Pyrgos and Ancient Olympia.

The Route of Truce does not have a competitive character. It is a route that essentially sends a message, highlighting that Olympic Value which leads to peace and fellowship among peoples: the Truce.

The start was at 6:00 a.m. and the runners passed through the 13 villages to Ancient Olympia, where around 16:00 the finish and the award ceremony took place, with special numbered medals presented to all runners who finished. Medals were awarded by SYRIZA Member of Parliament Mr. Dionysis Kalamatianos, the Deputy Mayors of Olympia Mr. Dim. Kostarias and of Pyrgos Mr. Giannis Argyropoulos, and the world champions in TAE KWON DO Maria Karpathaki and in Weightlifting Maria Christoforidi.

The runners passed through the villages of Dafni, Keramidia, Dafniotissa, Peristeri, Cheimadio, Sop, Karatoula, Magoula, Latzoi, Herakleia, Pournari, Pelopio, Platanos and finished in Ancient Olympia. Local associations, residents and children from the Municipal Districts where the runners stopped once again demonstrated their hospitality by offering local delicacies to the runners.

The events within the framework of the 7th “Route of Truce” began on the morning of May 14 with “The Route of Kleosthenis”. This is a competitive 5 km race from Ancient Pisa to Ancient Olympia. It is recalled that Kleosthenis, King of Pisa, was, according to tradition, the third of the Kings of antiquity—together with the King of Ilida, Ifitos, and the King of Sparta, Lycurgus—who signed the Sacred Truce.

In The Route of Kleosthenis, the top men were: Marinos Tsoukas, Nikos Stathakopoulos and Vasilis Vasileiou. And the top women were Maria Panagiotou, Evgenia Tzevelekou and Ioanna Bousdoukou.

You can find the full results and times on our facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/routeoftruce

On Saturday afternoon, the Route of Ifitos took place in Ilida. A competitive 2 km race from the village of Ilida to the Old Museum of the area, for children in 5th and 6th grade of primary school and in middle school.

In the “Route of Ifitos”, the winners were:

  • Winner of the children’s race Spyridon Panagiotis Zogopoulos
  • Winner of the girls’ children’s race Anthi Angelatou
  • Winner of the teenage race Charalampos Chronopoulos
  • Winner of the girls’ teenage race Maria Antiochou

Afterwards, on the same day, the opening ceremony of the events took place, along with the awards for the young athletes.

At the event venue, works by young students from Ilia (from the art schools: the Art Workshop of Ms. Eleni Stathopoulou and Mr. Kristo Defrim Hasa) and from the Czech Republic (by students of the “Dana and Emil Zátopek” school in the city of Třinec, as well as from Athens) were exhibited, on the theme: “Evoi okypoda!” (“Well done, swift-footed!”), “From Koroibos to Emil Zátopek”, which was also the theme of the Route of Truce 2022 art exhibition held at the Athens War Museum on April 6.

Declaring the opening of the ceremony, the President of the Federation of Olympia, Ms. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, stressed that today more than ever it is an urgent necessity for all of us to redefine the universal values we inherited through the Ancient Olympic Games “and to speak our own ‘Olympikon agona sosasthai’, for the benefit of peoples and the global community. The fact that in this effort we have the CISM as an ally and ASAED as a co-organizer strengthens this effort. What remains is for it to become a matter of conscience for society as a whole. The Truce must not be absent from the Olympic Movement. After all, sport can unite different races, religions and ideologies, but it cannot by itself bring peace, nor can it pressure for a cessation of hostilities. However, it can be the best tool for promoting ideals that will highlight the importance and the need for world peace. The Olympic Truce does not concern only states, their leaders or politicians. It is a concept that concerns each and every one of us”.

The President of ASAED and Vice President of CISM for Europe, marathon runner Captain Spyros Andriopoulos, greeting the event, emphasized:

“The Route of Truce is the route that in ancient Greece, the ancient hoplites—athletes walked from here, from Ilida to Olympia, after first laying down their arms. You athletes, approximately 2,800 years later, are walking this exact same route in order to convey the message of truce, peace and friendship among the peoples of the world. This is the message we wish to send as the Greek delegation to CISM, and for this reason we support every year this effort of the Federation of Olympia, which began in 2016”.

The event was attended by MP for Ilia Ms. Dionysia Avgerinopoulou, who stressed the need to support the effort and the activities of the Federation of Olympia; the Deputy Governor for Sports – Olympism and Volunteering of the Region of Western Greece Mr. Dimitris Nikolakopoulos; as well as Lefteris Varouxis, ND candidate for the European Parliament, and the Director of the Czech Centre Athens, Ms. Lucie Kulligova.

Concluding the greetings, the heads of the five delegations were honored by the Vice President of CISM for Europe and Director of ASAED, Captain Spyros Andriopoulos, and the President of the Federation of Olympia, Ms. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, who offered them as a gift an olive branch by sculptor Mr. Angelos Panagiotidis.

Sweets were offered to those present by the Cultural Associations of Ilida and of Kalyvia Ilidas.

The event concluded in excellent spirits, with dancing and singing to the sounds of the local band Banda Morena.

Cooperating bodies in the Federation’s activities for the 7th Route of Truce were the International Olympic Truce Center and the Czech Centre Athens. The activities were supported by the Region of Attica and #BEACTIVE and were held under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defence, Culture and Sports (General Secretariat of Sports), Rural Development and Food, Tourism, of CISM, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), ETHNOA, and the Union of Olympians. The activities of the Federation of Olympia also had the Technical Support of the Athens War Museum and media sponsors the Panhellenic Association of Sports Journalists (PSAT), ERT, ERT-3, Proto Programma, ERA SPOR, ERT Pyrgos, ATHINA 9.84, RunningNews.gr, OVImagazine, apopseis.gr, Greekteachers.

 

Warm thanks to: The Main Supporter of the events was Turbomed – Yiannis Paraskevopoulos s.a.; Official Supporters: AIGEAS AMKE, LOUX, DIRFYS, Avance Car Rental, nosti most, Hellenic Gyros, DOLE Hellas, Ethniki Asfalistiki; Suppliers–Supporters: Biolis, Agricultural Cooperative of Koryfi Ilia, Enosi Agroton Ilia IKE, FarGeco Hellas, KALOMOIRIS ILIVIGAL, Mercouri Estate.

The actions were supported on a volunteer basis by: the Volunteer Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corps of the Regional Branch of Amaliada, E.O.PY.D., the Scouts of Ilioupoli, as well as all residents of the villages who highlighted in the best way the unique hospitality of Ilia.

For more photos from our activities, visit our Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/routeoftruce

ILIDA AND OLYMPIA ON THE FRONT LINE OF THE PATH THAT LEADS TO PEACE.

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The 5th Route of Olympic Truce was successfully completed in full compliance with the health protocol.

 

In an atmosphere of enthusiasm, emotion, fellowship, respect for fellow participants and solidarity, while fully observing the health protocol, the activities of the Federation of Olympia in Ilia for the “Route of Olympic Truce 2020” were successfully completed on Sunday, August 30.

Despite the extreme weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, athletes from all over Greece as well as from abroad walked the 50 kilometers of the “Route of Truce” from Ancient Ilida to Ancient Olympia.

It is recalled that the “Route of Olympic Truce” had initially been scheduled to take place on March 8, led by Japanese marathon runner Minori Hayakari and world champion in Tae Kwon Do Maria Karpathaki, aiming to honor the host country of the Olympic Games as well as International Women’s Day, which coincided with that date.

However, the lockdown that was imposed resulted in the postponement of the Route of Truce by five months.

The runners set off early on Sunday morning (30.08) at 05:45, from the entrance of the Old Museum of Ancient Ilida. They passed through the villages of Dafni, Keramidia, Dafniotissa, Peristeri, Cheimadio, Sopi, Karatoula, Magoula, Latzoi, Herakleia, Pournari, Pelopio and Platanos, and arrived at the Old Town Hall of Ancient Olympia, where the award ceremony also took place.

The “Route of Olympic Truce 2020” takes place along the ecotourism route of “The Route of Truce”, has no competitive character, and runners who completed the 49.8 km route are awarded unique numbered medals. This year’s medals were designed by the distinguished sculptor Evangelos Moustakas (creator of the equestrian statue of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki and the sculpture of the Fall of Icarus in Karaiskaki Square in Athens).

This year, the route was led by professor and runner Aristea Nikolopoulou from Patras, with numerous distinctions in Greece (national marathon and cross-country championships) as well as internationally. Faithful to the annual appointment with the Route of Truce, Ms. Nikolopoulou has participated continuously in the event since 2016.

In all the villages along the route, the runners received the warmest hospitality from the local residents, who once again offered local delicacies, wishing to demonstrate that the philosophy of “Xenios Zeus” continues to live on in the land that gave birth to the Olympic Games.



Alongside the Route of Truce, which connects the host city of the Olympic Games, Ilida, with the place where they were held, Ancient Olympia, the Route of Hercules was held for the first time this year, linking the area of Agrapidochori—where in antiquity those entering the Kingdom of Ilida laid down their arms—with Ancient Ilida, and the Route of Ifitos, in honor of the king who established the Truce, from the main square of Ilida to the theatre.

 

THE ROUTE OF HERCULES was held for the first time in a deeply emotional atmosphere.

Before the start of the race, in the square of Agrapidochori in the Municipality of Ilida, opposite the hill of Armatova, a short symbolic ceremony took place for the laying down of the arms of two ancient warriors.

Two warriors in ancient attire and carrying weapons, after laying down their arms, received from priestesses (from the dance school of Ms. Zoi Andritsou) an olive branch—an eternal symbol of peace and of the ancient Olympic Games. They in turn handed them to the ultramarathon runner and modern-day hemerodromos Giannis Kouros and to marathon runner and holder of the Greek national record in the Marathon and the 10,000 meters, Director of ASAED, Captain Spyros Andriopoulos, who led the first Route of Hercules.



Describing the activities of the Federation of Olympia, its President, Sofia Hintziou–Kontogianni, recalled that “the laying down of arms and the cessation of hostilities during the period of the Olympic Games constituted the Sacred Truce.”

We therefore launched the 1st Route of Hercules, hoping that we are not simply starting yet another route along a beautiful landscape of Ilia, but a road race to shape a better society through the application of Olympic values.

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SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION ACTIONS 2024

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ΔΡΑΣΕΙΣ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΜΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑΣ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΣ

  • ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ ΡΟΥΧΩΝ ΣΕ ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΠΡΟΣΦΥΓΩΝ
  • ΚΑΠΑΚΙΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΕΡΥΘΡΟ ΣΤΑΥΡΟ

 

2.2.2024

Στο πλαίσιο του κοινωνικού προγράμματος της ΣΥΜΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑΣ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΣ ΑΜΚΕ, μέλη και εθελοντές της Οργάνωσης, έστειλαν από τη Μυρσίνη και την Αμαλιάδα ένα μήνυμα αλληλεγγύης και συμπαράστασης σε πρόσφυγες που επλήγησαν από τον πόλεμο στη χώρα τους και σε συνανθρώπους μας που έχουν ανάγκη.

Ξεκινώντας από την Ελεγχόμενη Δομή Προσωρινής Φιλοξενίας Αιτούντων Άσυλο Κυλλήνης παρέδωσαν είδη ρουχισμού, παιχνίδια, βιβλία κλπ  ώστε με τις μικρές μας δυνάμεις να απαλύνουμε έστω και κατά το ελάχιστο τον πόνο του αναγκαστικού εκτοπισμού από τις εστίες και την πατρίδα αυτών των ανθρώπων. Όλα τα είδη συλλέχθηκαν με τη βοήθεια φίλων της Οργάνωσης για τους συνανθρώπους μας που αναζήτησαν έναν καλύτερο κόσμο χωρίς βομβαρδισμούς και πείνα. Έναν καλύτερο κόσμο που θα βασιλεύει η ειρήνη! Και τι καλύτερο να το δείξουμε σε αυτόν ακριβώς τον τόπο που γεννήθηκαν οι πανανθρώπινες αξίες της συμφιλίωσης, της ισότητας, της ελευθερίας, της δημοκρατίας αλλά και η Εκεχειρία, η οποία αποτελεί προπομπό της ειρήνης και στην αρχαία Ελλάδα ήταν προαπαιτούμενη για τη συμμετοχή στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες.

Η Συμπολιτεία Ολυμπίας εκτός από τους δεκάδες φίλους εθελοντές που προσφέρουν παιχνίδια, βιβλία, ρούχα, παπούτσια κλπ. οφείλει να ευχαριστήσει την εταιρεία AVANCE, που στηρίζει της Δράσεις του «Δρόμου της Εκεχειρίας» και παραχώρησε το όχημα για τη μεταφορά των ενδυμάτων και των παιχνιδιών στη δομή της Μυρσίνης.

Στη συνέχεια τα μέλη της ΣΥΜΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑΣ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΣ ΑΜΚΕ με επικεφαλής τον Γραμματέα της οργάνωσης κ. Κωνσταντίνο Κοντογιάννη παρέδωσαν στο  Σώμα Εθελοντών Σαμαρειτών – Διασωστών και Ναυαγοσωστών περιφερειακού Τμήματος E.E.Σ Αμαλιάδας,  οι οποίοι συγκεντρώνουν στο χώρο τους καπάκια, ώστε να παραδοθούν στο Σύλλογο Παραπληγικών – κινητικά ανάπηρων Περιφερειακής Ενότητας Ηλείας.

Ο κ. Κωνσταντίνος Κοντογιάννης, ως μέλος της Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας αλλά και ως Αρχηγός του 1ου Συστήματος Προσκόπων Ηλιούπολης, τους συνεχάρη τόσο για την πολύτιμη βοήθειά τους κατά τη διάρκεια του «Δρόμου της Εκεχειρίας» όσο και για τις προσπάθειές τους και τη βοήθεια που έχουν προσφέρει προς τους συνανθρώπους μας που έχουν ανάγκη. Υπενθυμίζεται ότι οι εθελοντές του Σώματος  Εθελοντών Σαμαρειτών – Διασωστών και Ναυαγοσωστών περιφερειακού Τμήματος E.E.Σ Αμαλιάδας καλύπτουν υγειονομικά  τους δρομείς του «Δρόμου της Εκεχειρίας».

Για τη συλλογή των καπακίων ο κ. Κωνσταντίνος Κοντογιάννης  ευχαρίστησε θερμά:

  • Τους δρομείς του Δρόμου Εκεχειρίας
  • Τους κατοίκους – εθελοντές των χωριών του Δρόμου Εκεχειρίας, οι οποίοι συλλέγουν τα καπάκια
  • Τις ΣΤΑΘΕΡΕΣ ΣΥΓΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΕΣ – ΣΤΑ.ΣΥ. οι οποίοι στο πλαίσιο των δράσεων της Εταιρικής Κοινωνικής Ευθύνης επέλεξαν να δωρίσουν καπάκια που συλλέγουν οι εργαζόμενοι της ΣΤΑ.ΣΥ., για αγορά αναπηρικών αμαξιδίων στα ΑΜΕΑ του Ν. Ηλείας. Ιδιαίτερα ευχαρίστησε τον Διευθύνοντα Σύμβουλο της ΣΤΑΣΥ κ. Αθαν. Κοτταρά και την κα Αννίτα Πατσουράκη υπεύθυνη για τη δράση ΕΚΕ της ΣΤΑ.ΣΥ.
  • Το 1ο Σύστημα Προσκόπων Ηλιούπολης (οι οποίοι συνδράμουν και κάθε χρόνο στις δράσεις του Δρόμου της Εκεχειρίας).

Τέλος, όλοι ευχαριστούμε θερμά την εταιρεία AVANCE που για ακόμη μια φορά στέκεται δίπλα μας και στηρίζει κάθε μας προσπάθεια παρέχοντας οχήματα για τις δράσεις μας.

Ο Κωνσταντίνος Κοντογιάννης (Γραμματέας Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας) με τον εθελοντή της Οργάνωσης Σταμάτη Μαύρο στην παράδοση των ρούχων και παιχνιδιών μαζί με προσωπικό της δομής.

Σταύρος Θεοδόσης (συνεργάτης της δομής), Κωνσταντίνος Κοντογιάννης (Γραμματέας Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας) και Σταμάτης Μαύρος (Εθελοντής Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας).

Στην παράδοση των καπακίων, ο Κωνσταντίνος Κοντογιάννης (Γραμματέας Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας), εθελόντρια του Σώματος Εθελοντών Σαμαρειτών – Διασωστών και Ναυαγοσωστών περιφερειακού Τμήματος E.E.Σ Αμαλιάδας και Δημοσθένης Τσιτσικλής (Εθελοντής Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας).

Στην παράδοση των καπακίων, Κωνσταντίνος Κοντογιάννης (Γραμματέας Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας), εθελόντρια του Σώματος Εθελοντών Σαμαρειτών – Διασωστών και Ναυαγοσωστών περιφερειακού Τμήματος E.E.Σ Αμαλιάδας και Σταμάτης Μαύρος (Εθελοντής Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας).

Κατά τη διαδικασία παραλαβής καπακίων, η κα Αννίτα Πατσουράκη υπεύθυνη για τη δράση ΕΚΕ της ΣΤΑ.ΣΥ. με τον κ. Κωνσταντίνο Κοντογιάννη (Γραμματέα Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας).

Route of Truce 2023 events

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ILIDA–OLYMPIA: Route of Truce 2023 (50 km)
ANCIENT PISA–ANCIENT OLYMPIA: The Route of Kleosthenis 2023 (5 km)
CHILDREN & TEENS RACE: The Route of Ifitos 2023 (2 km)
OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ROUTE OF TRUCE 2023 

For the 8th consecutive year, the Route of Truce 2023 was successfully held on Sunday, with international participation, from Ancient Ilida (the organizing city of the ancient Olympic Games) to Ancient Olympia (the sacred site where the Games were held). Residents of the villages along the Route of Truce trail once again proved that hospitality is a way of life.

 

Alongside the Route of Truce, two additional runs were held, honoring the key figures behind the Truce—an essential prerequisite for the ancient Olympic Games:

 

The Ifitos Run, in honor of Ifitos, King of Ilida (who, together with Kleosthenis of Pisa and Lycurgus of Sparta, signed the Truce), from the village of Ilida to the (wooden) theatre at the archaeological site of Ilida (distance: 2 km). It was run by primary and middle-school students.

 

The Kleosthenis Run, from Ancient Pisa to Ancient Olympia (a 5 km race), honoring Kleosthenis, King of Ancient Pisa.

 

The runners’ participation showed that the message of the Truce is strong and must be strengthened even more, under today’s difficult and extraordinary conditions.

 

The start of the “Route of Truce 2023” was given on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 6:00 a.m. from Ancient Ilida, and the finish took place in Ancient Olympia, at approximately 4:30 p.m.

 

More than 400 runners took part. Of particular significance to the meaning and value of the Truce was the participation of runners from Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Spain, Romania, the Philippines, Albania and Bulgaria.

 

From the sacred land of Ilia—where the Olympic Games began—we each, with our modest strength, opened the path of our own small Truce: the Truce that starts with each one of us, in our home, our yard, our neighborhood, our city, so that we may bring to the world the great Truce. The Truce we need more than anything at this difficult moment for humanity.

 

The path is long and demanding. Yet all together, holding an olive branch from the sacred land of Ilida and Olympia, giving our own effort, we will unite our strength and become heralds of the Truce and of Peace.

 

The 50 km route starts from Ancient Ilida, passes through 13 villages in semi-mountainous Ilia (Dafni, Keramidia, Dafniotissa, Peristeri, Cheimadio, Sopi, Karatoula, Magoula, Latzoi, Irakleia, Pournari, Pelopio, Platanos) and ends in Olympia.

 

Residents and local associations in every area the runners passed through welcomed them—just as every year—offering local treats.

 

To honor Kostas Chatzis, who has participated in the Route of Truce since its inception in 2016, the organization appointed him as the forerunner of the runners. Each year Mr. Chatzis completes his own “Route of Truce”, setting off from the Netherlands to travel to Greece and take part in the event.

 


The Route of Truce is not competitive, and uniquely numbered medals were awarded to everyone who successfully completed the full 50 km distance,
as the organizers believe that completing this demanding route reflects how difficult it is to reach the longed-for peace through the Truce—something our ancestors achieved, since observing the Truce was a decisive condition for participating in the ancient Olympic Games.

 

As is well known, before the ancient Olympic Games the Truce was proclaimed. Athletes entering the Kingdom of Ilida deposited their weapons at the borders and, for one month, trained together in Ilida and shared a common diet. After the first judgement by the judges, the athletes, the Hellanodikai, priests, etc., proceeded in procession from Ancient Ilida to Ancient Olympia for the celebration of the Games.

 

The Organizing Committee warmly thanks the residents and associations of the villages along the route who, under these difficult conditions for all, proved that hospitality lies at the heart of the local people. All community presidents, as well as the Vice Governors for Sports, Volunteering and Olympism Mr. Dimitris Nikolakopoulos and for Agricultural Development Mr. Thodoris Vasilopoulos, the Mayor of Ancient Olympia Mr. Giorgos Georgiopoulos with the Deputy Mayor for Culture Mr. Fotis Kostarias, the Mayor of Pyrgos Mr. Takis Antonakopoulos with his associates, and the representative of His Eminence the Metropolitan of Ilia H.H. Athanasios, were there to welcome the runners.

 

THE KLEOSTHENIS RUN 2023

 

On Saturday morning, the race dedicated to Kleosthenis, King of Ancient Pisa—the “Kleosthenis Run 2023” (5 km)—was held as a competitive event. The start was given by the President of the Local Community Mr. Sof. Sofianopoulos and the Director of the Supreme Council for Sports of the Armed Forces (ASAEF), Captain Spyridon Andriopoulos (who held the Greek national marathon record for 36 years and is also a record holder in the 10,000 meters).

 

Runners started from the Church of Agia Kyriaki in Ancient Pisa, passed in front of the tombs of the Hellanodikai, entered the International Olympic Academy, passed above the ancient Stadium of Olympia, and finished at the Grove of Truce, shortly before the entrance to the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia.

 

Results of the Kleosthenis Run:

 

Women’s Category:
1st Machi Adamopoulou (Run Amaliada) 26:09
2nd Eleni Alexopoulou (Independent) 26:20
3rd Angeliki Kokoni (Independent) 26:45

 

Men’s Category:
1st Nikolaos Stathakopoulos (Run Amaliada) 17:23
2nd Vasileios Vasileiou (Run Amaliada) 18:01
3rd Dionysios Tzanetos (Independent) 18:50

 

THE IFITOS RUN 2023

 

On Saturday afternoon, shortly before the Opening Ceremony of the Route of Truce, the Ifitos Run 2023 took place from Truce Square in the village of Ancient Ilida to the (wooden) theatre at the archaeological site of Ilida, for children in the final grades of primary school and middle school.

 

The race is dedicated to Ifitos, the key founder of the Truce and King of Ancient Ilida.

 

The winners were, from the primary school students: Nefeli Marathia and Panagiotis Dimitrakopoulos.
From the middle school students: Eleftheria Papanikolaou and Apostolos De Marinis.

 

The Ifitos Run was held as part of the #BEACTIVE activities.

 

The Federation of Olympia especially thanks the Parents and Guardians Association of Avgeio Primary School for its contribution to the success of the Ifitos Run.

 

THE OPENING CEREMONY

 

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, immediately after the Ifitos Run, the Opening Ceremony of the Route of Truce 2023 was held at the theatre of Ancient Ilida.

 

The President of the Federation of Olympia, Mrs. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, referred to the need to establish the Truce as an Olympic value and to the modern Olympic Games, and emphasized: “We are here to walk the Route of Truce, in an effort to remind everyone that in the modern world we live in, all of us who believe in Olympism and in the values it represents have a duty to promote the fundamental Olympic value—the value of the Truce that leads to the much-desired peace.” She also noted: “Each and every one of you runners who take part in the Route of Truce is an unofficial messenger of the Truce in the modern era.”

 

Finally, honorary plaques were presented to the forerunner of the Route of Truce, Mr. Kostas Chatzis, to the runner from Turkey Mr. Dogan Pekgoz, and to the #BEACTIVE ambassador and world champion in TAE KWON DO, Mrs. Maria Karpathaki.

 

The event concluded with the group “En Choro” from Zacharo (wearing costumes by Mrs. Emilia Giannopoulou), who—after performing—distributed branches of wild olive from the sacred land of Ilia to everyone present.

 

Afterwards, the local band Banda Morena brought the ceremony to a close. All attendees enjoyed the songs, ending the celebration with dancing.

 

Among those present were: the Vice Governor for Agricultural Development Mr. Thodoris Vasilopoulos (who also offers Route of Truce runners, as a symbolic gift from Ilia, a small bottle of organic olive oil produced by him), the Vice Governor for Sports, Volunteering and Olympism Mr. Dimitris Nikolakopoulos, ND parliamentary candidate for Ilia Mr. Lefteris Varouxis, former Mayor of Ilida Mr. Christos Christodoulopoulos, former President of the Local Community of Ilida Mr. N. Kagianas, and former MP and Deputy Minister Mr. Giorgos Kontogiannis.

 

At the event venue, artworks by young students from Ilia were exhibited, created through the schools of Mrs. Eleni Stathopoulou and Mr. Kristo Hasa, under the theme: “Mega to tis thalassis kratos” (“Great is the power of the sea”), which was also the theme of the art exhibition at the War Museum of Athens. An honorary plaque and commendation were awarded both to the educators and to the young artists.

 

The events 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 of the Armed Forces, and the collaborating support organization, the International Olympic Truce Centre, with the support of the Region of Attica and #BEACTIVE, and technical support by the War Museum of Athens. They are held under the auspices of the relevant Ministries and institutional bodies.

 

The organization warmly thanks its volunteers, the residents of the villages along the route for their hospitality and local offerings, the Volunteer Corps of Samaritans/Rescuers/Lifeguards (Amaliada), the medical team, EKAB ambulance crews, and the Hellenic Police for their continuous support along the route.

 

Communication Sponsors: ERT, ERT-3, First Programme, ERA SPOR, ERT Pyrgos, PSAT, Athens 9.84, RunningNews.gr, OVImagazine, apopseis.gr, Greekteachers.

 

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

 

Suppliers – Supporters: Spiroulina PLATENSIS, DOLE bananas, Biolis, BRINTZIKI ESTATE, FarGeco Hellas, KALOMOIRIS ILVIGAL, UNION OF COOPERATIVES PANAIGIALEIOS (SUPER 36).

 

Finally, we warmly thank the Cultural Association of Ancient Ilida “Ancient Ilida”, the Cultural Association of Kalyvia Ilida “Ilida”, as well as the Parents and Guardians Association of Avgeio Primary School, for their very important contribution to the Opening Ceremony and to the Ifitos Run.

 

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SYMBOLIC ROUTE OF TRUCE – ΗΝΙΟΧΟΣ 2023

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170 πιλότοι – δρομείς της άσκησης Ηνίοχος, έτρεξαν για την Εκεχειρία

Ένα γλυκό χαμόγελο, από νεαρές ιέρειες και ένα κλαδί αγριελιάς από την ιερή γη της Ολυμπίας, με ένα αναμνηστικό μετάλλιο περίμενε τους 170 πιλότους – δρομείς που τερμάτιζαν εντός του φιλόξενου  χώρου του Σταδίου της Διεθνούς Ολυμπιακής Ακαδημίας, τον Συμβολικό Δρόμο της Εκεχειρίας, που έγινε το Σάββατο στο περιθώριο της Άσκησης Ηνίοχος, που γίνεται στην 117 ΠΜ της Ανδραβίδας και στην οποία μετέχουν 11 χώρες.

Ο συμβολικός Δρόμος Εκεχειρίας, ήταν αφιερωμένος στον βασιλιά της Πίσας Κλεοσθένη. Της Πίσας που ήταν η πρώτη διοργανώτρια πόλη των αρχαίων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων και ο βασιλιάς της Κλεοσθένης εκείνος που συνυπέγραψε τη συνθήκη Εκεχειρίας μαζί με τον βασιλιά της Ήλιδας Ίφιτο και της Σπάρτης Λυκούργο.

Η Συμπολιτεία Ολυμπίας αποδεχόμενη την πρόσκληση των διοργανωτών της άσκησης,  διοργάνωσε μαζί με το ΑΣΑΕΔ τον συμβολικό αυτό Δρόμο Εκεχειρίας, με στόχο να περάσει το μήνυμα της Εκεχειρίας στους πιλότους των ένδεκα χωρών που συμμετέχουν στην άσκηση Ηνίοχος και αυτοί με τη σειρά τους να το μεταφέρουν στις πατρίδες τους.

Το έναυσμα δόθηκε με νεαρές ιέρειες από την ομάδα «Εν χορώ» της Ζαχάρως να ξεκινούν το τελετουργικό, οι οποίες φορούσαν στολές της κας Αιμιλίας Γιαννοπούλου.

Στη συνέχεια το μέλος της Συμπολιτείας Ολυμπίας κ. Κωνσταντίνος Κοντογιάννης καλωσόρισε τους 170 πιλότους – δρομείς και στο σύντομο χαιρετισμό του εξήγησε στους παρευρισκόμενους το νόημα της Εκεχειρίας στη σύγχρονη εποχή και την προσπάθεια της Συμπολιτείας να γίνουν οι δράσεις της η γέφυρα του αρχαίου με το σύγχρονο.

Ο Δήμαρχος Αρχαίας Ολυμπίας κ. Γιώργος Γεωργιόπουλος επισήμανε ότι ιδιαίτερα σήμερα που ένας πόλεμος μαίνεται στην Ευρώπη, η Εκεχειρία αποκτά εξέχουσα σημασία και προσκάλεσε τους πιλότους να επισκεφθούν την Αρχαία Ολυμπία με τις οικογένειές τους.

Ο πρόεδρος του Τοπικού Διαμερίσματος κ. Σοφοκλής Σοφιανόπουλος ευχαρίστησε τους διοργανωτές για την επιλογή της Πίσας αλλά και τον διοικητή του ΚΕΑΤ Ταξίαρχος (Ι) Ματθαίο Κανουπάκη.

Τέλος ο Διοικητής του ΚΕΑΤ σημείωσε ότι για τους πιλότους της Πολεμικής Αεροπορίας η Εκεχειρία έχει ιδιαίτερη σημασία, καθώς αποτελεί το προοίμιο της ειρήνης.

Οι αεροπόροι – δρομείς τερμάτισαν στις εγκαταστάσεις της ΔΟΑ, όπου παρέλαβαν ένα κλαδί αγριελιάς με αναμνηστικό μετάλλιο στο οποίο είναι χαραγμένος ο δίσκος της Εκεχειρίας.

Ιδιαίτερα τιμήθηκαν ο πρώτος άνδρας και η πρώτη γυναίκα δρομέας με πλακέτα στην οποία απεικονίζεται ένα κλαδί ελιάς φιλοτεχνημένη από τον γνωστό γλύπτη Άγγελο Παναγιωτίδη.

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