The honoring of Greece’s Olympic wrestling medalists – The Trail of the Truce & its role in promoting Olympic Values
The honoring of Greece’s Olympic wrestling medalists – The Trail of the Truce & its role in promoting Olympic Values
The athletes of wrestling who managed to raise the Greek flag high at the Olympic Games were honored in a special event by the Federation of Olympia, within the framework of its activities in view of the Truce Run from Ilida to Ancient Olympia, which this year is organized on April 22.
In an extremely moving atmosphere, special plaques were awarded to the Olympic medalists of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling: Stelios Mygiakis (gold, 1980), Petros Galaktopoulos (silver, 1972 and bronze, 1968), Dimitris Thanopoulos (silver, 1984), Babis Cholidis (bronze, 1984 and 1988), Amiran Kartanov (bronze, 2000), Artiom Kiouregkian (bronze, 2004) and Giorgos Chatzioannidis (bronze, 1980), during a one-day conference held on Wednesday, March 28 by the Federation of Olympia at the Hellenic War Museum, aiming to promote Olympic values, alongside a parallel art exhibition. The conference took place in honor of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
The event began with the screening of a short interactive video on the Truce and Greco-Roman Wrestling, created by Professor Dimosthenis Davvetas.
Subsequently, the President of the Federation of Olympia, Mrs Sofia Hintziou-Kontogianni, made extensive reference to the Organization’s actions already implemented and those planned for 2018 regarding “the Trail of the Truce”.
Within the framework of the event, the Director of the International Olympic Truce Center, international relations expert Konstantinos Filis, was honored for his contribution to promoting the value of the Truce, and in his address he stated:
In an issue with the complexities and difficulties of the Korean Peninsula, where regional and international interests are involved, major powers compete and the risk of nuclear escalation remains, the Winter Olympic Games offered the opportunity to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) to sit at the negotiating table after approximately two years. In a few weeks, in fact, the presidents of the two states will meet—an outcome that seemed unthinkable not long ago. The prevalence of the Olympic Truce provided both sides with the opportunity to realize the beneficial consequences of peace compared to the risk of maintaining any possibility of conflict. Regardless of the outcome, let us consider that if the temporal milestone of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games had not existed, it is likely that the joint South Korea–U.S. military exercises would not have been suspended, nor—much more so—would dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang have begun.
The Mayor of Ilida, Mr Christos Christodoulopoulos (one of the three cities of antiquity that had signed the Truce), in his greeting noted:
Through the trail and the race held upon it, the true and substantive meaning of the Truce is given, contributing to connecting the institution with the modern world. Ilida, by establishing the Games, achieved something much greater than the simple creation of an institution. It succeeded in giving form and an ideological foundation to the ability of the then-known world to coexist for a few days, without weapons and without hostilities.
Today we must make the necessary compromises prescribed by the institution and stand against newly emerged realities such as xenophobia, intolerance and, more broadly, a violent mentality and way of life. We must bring forward concepts such as solidarity toward one’s fellow human being and toward what is different.
We must take initiatives—each one from their own position and with their own potential—so that the institution of the Truce may once again contribute to the Olympic Games, not as a necessary evil but as a mandatory given.
The Vice President of the Municipal Council of Ancient Olympia, Mrs Anna Papaioannou Georgakopoulou, conveyed the greeting of the Mayor of Olympia Mr Efth. Kotzas, and stressed:
Representing the place where, for 1,200 years, the Disc of Iphitos was safeguarded—on which the sacred truce was inscribed—I invite you to intensify our efforts so that we bridge the ancient with the modern, in an era when, more than ever, the necessity of creating a peaceful and better world is highlighted.
The Municipality of Ancient Olympia, recognizing the need to promote the ideals of Freedom, Democracy, solidarity, etc., and to pass them on to young people, works closely with the Federation of Olympia in a series of sporting and cultural events aimed at spreading the values of Olympism for a better world.
We look forward to welcoming you to Olympia during this critical period so that together we can send a strong Olympic message of peace and fraternity from the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Commander Spiros Andriopoulos, Director of ASAED, which has undertaken the technical support of the organization, referred to the necessity of the Truce and the contribution of all bodies toward achieving it.
Brigadier General Panagiotis Georgopoulos, First Vice President of the Hellenic War Museum, which graciously provided the venues for hosting the events, referred to the war preparation of the ancients through sport and emphasized that the War Museum strongly supports the efforts of the Federation of Olympia and the co-organizers of the “Trail of the Truce” events.
Art historian and curator of the art exhibition “En Olympia to Kalliston”, Mrs Annita Patsouraki, noted:
The “Federation of Olympia” dedicates the 3rd edition of the “Truce Run” with a vision to revive the route from Ilida to Olympia, focusing on the events of wrestling, boxing and pankration. The exhibition “En Olympia to Kalliston” draws inspiration from the words of the historian Philostratus and honors the sports of the strong, the warriors and the brave. Works of painting, printmaking, sculpture, mosaic, photography and a performance produced as video came together as an expression of collectivity. Arts and ideas—images that evoke Greekness and at the same time universality—become mediators between past and present. Artistic creations were produced specifically and by commission for the idea of the truce as well as for the above sports, seeking to express admiration and glory for the strength, the fortitude of soul and body of our worthy athletes. The “body” is praised as a means of expressing power, superiority and endurance.
With myths, legends and recorded histories, Kathimerini journalist Spyridoula Irida Spanea referred to 2,726 years of wrestling history in her talk titled “From Evryvatos to Kiouregkian”. Particular emotion was stirred in the audience by stories of the successes of Petros Galaktopoulos, Stelios Mygiakis, Dimitris Thanopoulos, Babis Cholidis and Giorgos Chatzioannidis, who won Olympic medals during the so-called “stone years” of Greek sport, as well as by the more recent successes of Amiran Kartanov and Artiom Kouregkian.
The Deputy Director of the International Olympic Truce Center, Mrs Dora Palli, spoke about the timeless principles and values expressed by Olympism that we have inherited from our ancestors:
Fair competition, equal participation, mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence of peoples and individuals, the truce, reconciliation between people and nations. Universal values. Values that existed, exist, and will exist.
Speaking of the Truce as an educational tool, she referred to the programs implemented by the Center, especially “I Respect Diversity”, stressing:
Olympism will be a source of inspiration and progress for modern Greece as well, at least in the way it moves and inspires the rest of the world, and should not remain merely a national stereotype, without being utilized to improve our society, our education, and the way we approach things.
Concluding, she announced that on Friday, April 20, the day before the “Truce Run”, on the “Trail of the Truce”, and in cooperation with the Federation of Olympia, the program “I Respect Diversity” will be implemented in the schools of Amaliada.
Dr Ioanna Mastora (PhD in Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Secretary General of the Center for Olympic Philosophy & Education) recited Pindar’s 8th Olympian Ode, for Alcimedon, winner in the boys’ event.
During the conference, the President of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), Mr Giorgos Patoulis, was honored for his support of the “Truce Run”.
The conference was presented and moderated by ERT journalist Mrs Chrysa Roumelioti.
Among those present were: KEDE President G. Patoulis, Deputy Regional Governor of Western Greece Panos Bramos, President of the Association of Greek Olympians Voula Kozomboli, Olympians Vasilis Polymeros, Chrysa Biskitzi, Niki Bakogianni, Paralympian Thodoris Alexas, world champions Maria Christoforidi and Paraskevi Tsiamita, President of the Hellenic Wrestling Federation Dim. Trampakoulas, President of the Hellenic Association for Atlantic and European Cooperation G. Georgiou, representatives of sports and cultural associations, the Armed Forces and Security Corps, ASAED, journalist Antonis Panoutsos, and a large audience.
In the Museum foyer, an art exhibition titled “En Olympia to Kalliston” operated with works by renowned artists: Angelos, Paschalis Angelidis, Mina Valyraki, Eriet. Vordoni, Sp. Georgas, Christod. Galtemis, Olga Goulandri, G. Gourzis, Dim. Davvetas, Eva Divari, K. Evangelatos, N. Zivas, P. Zoumpoulakis, I. Karkavitsas, M. Kassis, Ang. Korovesi, M. Kourkoulou, M. Ktistopoulou, Ap. Lavdas, Kyr. Lazaridis, K. Mavrommatis, Alexandros and Evangelos Moustakas, Nadia Barakou, P. Pagkratidis, Ang. Panagiotidis, Al. Patseli, Ar. Patsoglou, Vag. Rinas, G. Roussis, K. Spyriounis, G. Stathopoulos, G. Tourkovasivlis, Ap. Fanakidis, V. Chormoviti, G. Chouliaras, Sof. Christou, D. Christogiannis.
The work “Metallaxi” (“Mutation”) was donated by painter Ioannis Karkavitsas to the collection of the Hellenic War Museum.
On April 21 and 22, 2018, the third “Truce Run” will take place in Ilia; as with the event itself, it is organized by the Federation of Olympia, co-organized with the Municipalities of Ilida and Ancient Olympia, with the Municipality of Sparta and the International Olympic Truce Center as supporting partners, under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defense and Tourism, CISM, NATO, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, the National Olympic Academy of Greece, the Association of Greek Olympians, the Hellenic Scouts, the Hellenic Association for Atlantic and European Cooperation, supported by PSAT and the War Museum, and with technical support by ASAED.
On Saturday, April 21, the opening ceremony will take place in Ancient Ilida, and the start will be given on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at 5:45 a.m. from Ancient Ilida (host city of the ancient Olympic Games). The finish will be in Ancient Olympia (site of the Games) at approximately 4:30 p.m. Around 500 runners have already registered.
The route is non-competitive, and all who successfully complete the full 49.8 km distance will be awarded unique numbered medals. Because what matters is not only the journey—just as with the Truce on the way to peace—but also completing it.
The Federation of Olympia’s activities are supported by: Ethniki Asfalistiki, Legea, AB Food Market Amaliada, Louxs, AUTOUNIT N. Poulakis SA, PIK Kininis, Ktima Merkouri, FARGECO Hellas, ILVIGAL Kalomoiri, PAPATHEODOROU Greek pistachio, Union of Cooperatives of Ilia–Olympia, LOURIDA Insurance, OESI Federation of Trade Associations of Ilia, DI.KE.P., the Volunteer Firefighting–Rescue Team of Vrachnaika, as well as the Volunteer Rescuer Firefighters Corps of the Municipality of Western Achaia.
Communication sponsors include: ERT, ERT 3, Proto Programma 91.6, ERA Spor 101.8, ERT Pyrgos, ORT, PATRIS, PSAT, The BEST, RUNNING NEWS.GR, We Love Sports, SPORTEVENT.GR, Apopseis.gr, The OVI, Greek Teachers, ILIDA Kampos News, HMG Hellas Web Radio, RNF.gr, patrisnews, ORT 24.7.
