The North Korean international football player Park Ji-Sung will be the second torch bearer in ancient Olympia who will take the Olympic Flame from the torch of Apostolos Angelis outside the Pierre de Coubertin Grove.
The Hellenic Olympic Committee in cooperation with the Organizing Committees of Olympic Games have decided to appoint as second torchbearer a person coming from the Olympic City.
Park Ji-Sung had been in the past a player for Manchester United and of Eindhoven.

A little earlier, at the Temple of Hera and at the ancient stadium those attending will have the opportunity to admire the High Priestess Katerina Lehou receiving the Olympic Flame straight from the sunrays and watch the dance of the priestesses on a choreography of Artemis Ignatiou.

PARK Ji-sung

Park Ji-sung was a football player who had an outstanding international career in PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United. During his sport career he won multiple trophies and team titles.
He was born in February 25, 1981 and demonstrated his talent at a young age. He participated in the “Sydney 2000” Olympic Games while two years later, he was a member of the national team that finished fourth at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In addition, as a member of the South Korea national team, he won 100 caps and scored 13 goals.
On May 2014, Park announced his retirement from football.
He is married and a father of a 2-year old daughter.

Spyros Capralos has been re-elected President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee for a third four-year term. Capralos was the only candidate for the presidency and received 22 out of 22 votes.

Addressing the members of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the President said:

"Thank you very much for your trust and confidence in me and for electing me as President for another four-year term. However, it is now time for serious reflection and self-criticism rather than celebrations. What happened in the past few months has tarnished the image of the HOC, both in Greece and abroad. Most importantly, our athletes who represent our country in elite international sport competitions have been left without support. The International Olympic Committee has still no representative in our country, the athletes’ support programme “Adopt an athlete on the way to Tokyo” is moving at a slow pace, while the national sport federations are currently facing a variety of problems and challenges.

What happened in 2017 should serve as a lesson in order for similar situations to be avoided in the future, and above all, in order to avoid the same mistakes that have an impact on those who are not responsible for them. The Hellenic Olympic Committee needs to be united. We should all realise that we do not represent ourselves but the sport that has elected us and that our mission is national rather than an individual one. Everything we do is for the sake of our country and for the athletes. For these reasons I wish to invite you all to a new beginning, a new effort for the benefit of sport, leaving behind what happened in the previous nine months. The spirit of consensus reflected in today’s elections has to carry on in the days and months to follow in order for the wounds to be healed. I would like to invite you all to work hard, united and determined to make up for the lost time.

I am also addressing those who are not here today. They must consider their obligation as well as their responsibility towards those who elected them as members of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Any differences must be resolved through dialogue, exchange of views and opinions and not by means of public statements that offer no solution to the problems of Greek sport. We are on the eve of the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame, taking place next Tuesday in Ancient Olympia, the Torch Relay on Greek territory which follows right after and the Handover Ceremony of the Flame to the Organizing Committee for the Winter Olympic Games of PyeongChang, Korea, which will be held at the Panathenaic Stadium a week later. It is a first class opportunity to remind the whole world what our country has offered to the Olympic movement. To conclude, I would like to point out that I am at your disposal for anything concerning the HOC, Greek sport and primarily our athletes. Thank you all very much, I wish every success to our work.”

The HOC Plenary Session has also elected the following:

1st Vice President: Stelios Aggeloudis

2nd Vice President: Xenophon Athanasiou

Secretary General: Manolis Kolympadis

Treasurer: Antonis Nikolopoulos

Executive Board: Aristidis Adamopoulos, Polyxeni Argeitaki, Yiannis Karras

President of the International Olympic Academy: Isidoros Kouvelos

President of the Ethics Commission: Manolis Katsiadakis

President of the Olympic Preparation Commission: Spyros Zannias

President of the Olympic Torch Relay Commission: Athanasios Vassiliadis

Since the establishment of the HOC its foundation, Presidents of the HOC have been: Crown Prince Constantine (1894-1912) King Constantine (1913) Crown Prince George (1914-1917) Miltiadis Negrepontis (1918-1920) Crown Prince George (1921-1922) King George B’ (1922-1923) George Averoff (1924-30/4/1930) Ioannis Drosopoulos (1/5/1930-1936) Crown Prince Paul (1936-1948) King Paul (1948-1952) Kostas Georgakopoulos and Ioannis Ketseas (1953-1954) Crown Prince Constantine (1955-1964) Crown Princess Irene (1965-1968) Theodosios Papathanasiadis (1969-1973) Spyridon Vellianitis (31/1/1973-1974) Apostolos Nikolaidis (30/8/1974-1976) Georgios Athanasiadis (1976-1983) Aggelos Lempesis (14/4/1983-1984) Lambis Nikolaou (1985-1988 and 1989-1992) Antonios Tzikas (1993-1996) Lambis Nikolaou (1997-2000 and 2001-2004) Minos X. Kyriakou (2004-2009) Spyros Capralos (2009 - today)

One of the rehearsals of the Lighting ceremony for the XXIII winter Olympic Games “PyeongChang 2018” was held today in ancient Olympia with great success and under great weather conditions.
The Chairman of the Torch Relay Commission, Mr. Thanasis Vasileiadis in a statement said: “Everything took place according to plan and the weather helped us in order to kindle the Olympia Flame directly from the sun rays.
Even though bad weather conditions are in the forecast for the next two days and specially for the Lighting of the Flame on October 24, we hope that everything will run smoothly as planed”.

The Lighting ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the XXIII winter Olympic Games “PyeongChang 2018” will be held tomorrow, October 24, at 12.00 at the ancient stadium of Olympia.
During a meeting that took place earlier today, the Hellenic Olympic Committee unanimously decided that the ceremony would be held tomorrow at the ancient stadium as usually despite bad weather forecast. Of course minor changes in the programme of the ceremony are likely to be made.
The dress rehearsal of the Lighting ceremony was held this morning with great success and under great weather conditions.

Τhe programme of the Lighting Ceremony

11:45 - Closing time for the VIP attendance
12:00 - Opening of the Ceremony
- Olympic Rings: a synthesis
- Olympic Anthem – Hoisting of the Olympic Flag
- National Anthem of the Republic of Korea – Hoisting of the Flag of the Republic of Korea
- National Anthem of Greece – Hoisting of the Greek Flag
The anthems are performed by the Children’s and Youth Choirs of Lavreotiki
and Markopoulo Municipalities

- “The Light of Olympia”, Takis Doxas’ poem recited by Mr. Yiannis Stankoglou
- Address by the Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Mr. Efthymios Kotzas
- Address by the President of the “PyeongChang 2018” Organising Committee,
Mr. Lee Hee-beom
- Address by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach
- Address by the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Capralos
12:25 - Entry of the designated officials in the Temple of Hera
- Ritual of the Lighting Ceremony at the Temple of Hera
- Entry of the High Priestess and the Priestesses into the Ancient Stadium
with the Olympic Flame

- Dance performance by the Priestesses
12:50 - Handing over of the Olympic Flame by the High Priestess to the first Torchbearer
- Departure of the first Torchbearer for the Pierre de Coubertin Monument
- Opening of the Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Flame, lit today at the sacred land of ancient Olympia, began its journey to PyeongChang, Korea for the XXIII winter Olympic Games “PyeongChang 2018”. The sacred Light of Olympism was lit by the High Priestess Katerina Lehou, who, once again, performed her duty excellently, at the Lighting Ceremony. Τhe ceremony was honoured by the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos and the President of the International Olympic Committee Mr. Thomas Bach, who were welcome by the HOC President Mr. Spyros Capralos.

The magnificent ritual of the dance, was inspired by the choreographer Artemis Ignatiou, to the music of the composer Yiannis Psimadas, with the Priestesses and the male dancers stealing the show, dressed in the traditional garments, designed by Eleni Kyriacou. The skiing champion Apostolos Angelis as the first torchbearer handed over the Flame to the former football player PARK Ji-sung who represented the Organizing Committee of PyeongChang.

The ceremony opened with students of schools coming from Olympia and neighboring areas shaping the five Olympic rings and marching with the flags of all the countries that belong to the Olympic family. The ceremony was also attended by the former IOC President Jacques Rogge, as well as representatives of the upcoming Olympic Games, PyeongChang 2018 Lee Hee beom, Tokyo 2020 Tsunekazu Takeda, , Beijing 2022 Zaiqing Yu, Paris 2024, Denis Masseglia, Los Angeles 2028 Lawrence Probst III, in a gesture of unity and solidarity among nations. All the representatives posed for a photograph with Tomas Bach, Spyros Capralos, the First Torchbearer and the High Priestess.

The ceremony was also attended by the members of the International Olympic Committee Anita de Frantz, Gunilla Lindberg, Ser Miang Ng, Guy Drut, Jean Christophe Rolland, Alex Gilady, Lambis Nikolaou, the deputy minister of Sports Giorgos Vasileiadis, the Secretary General of Sport Ioulios Synadinos, the deputy Minister of Education Dimitris Baxevanakis, the President of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Kouvelos and the HOC Secretary General Manolis Kolympadis. The first Torchbearer Apostolos Angelis said: "I am very happy and excited. This is one of the most important moments in an athetes’s life. I am truly honored to be given this opportunity. I want to thank the Hellenic Olympic Committee for the privilege of being the first Torchbearer."

The President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach, said in his speech: Then as now, the Olympic Games are a symbol of hope and peace. It is this heritage that we are honouring today. But we are not only looking to the past. With our ceremony, we are also carrying this ancient tradition into the future. Let me thank the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopios Pavlopoulos, who with his presence today is demonstrating the commitment of modern Greece to our eternal Olympic Values. Our thanks and gratitude also go to the Mayor of Olympia, Efthimios Kotzas, and the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos, for preserving this noble heritage for future generations.  Sas efharisto poli, fili moy ellines! The Olympic Games are sacred and universal. They stand above and beyond all the differences that divide us. In our fragile world that seems to be drifting apart, the Olympic Games have the power to unite humanity in all its diversity. In our fragile world, where isolation and mistrust are growing, the Olympic Games always build bridges and friendship. Then as now, the Olympic Games are a symbol of hope and peace.”

The HOC President, Spyros Capralos said: “Today’s lighting of the Flame for the Games to be staged in the Republic of Korea, is a unique opportunity for the Olympic and sport movement to focus on the universal and never-ending necessity for peace, so much the more at a time when the drums of war are loudly echoing in many areas of the world. The Flame has always had a very special place at the hearts of us, Greeks. In every journey it makes and no matter how far it goes, we feel that it carries a part of our country. We hope, that the Olympic Flame, which will soon reach PyeongChang will convey and spread messages of friendship, while reminding at the same time the constant values of the Olympic movement we all share”.

The President of the Organising Committee “PyeongChang 2018” Lee Hee beom stated: “The Olympic flame symbolizes the Olympic values which have become so important in today’s world. This is especially significant to Korea. The PyeongChang Winter Games are an Olympics of peace and harmony.  We are ready to welcome the world to PyeongChang and spread this message. We want the international community to understand that we are committed to hosting a safe and secure Olympic Winter Games. All countries have been invited by the IOC to participate in largest-ever Winter Games. The moment we have been waiting for is here.  The Olympic flame will travel Greece and then be handed over to Korea, in time for our 100 days to go celebration. We are confident that the excitement and enthusiasm will ignite the passion for the Games.  This is a very special occasion for us, and we are honored to be here with you all today to share in this moment”. 

The Mayor of ancient Olympia said in his speech: “The Olympic Flame and the Torch Relay that is about to begin its journey for the city of PyeongChang, will carry along Olympia's message; which are the values of humanity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence of the people of our planet. Today, during one of the most crucial international conjunctures, we send out once again the Olympic Light to reconnect the young people of the world and work towards universal peace and prosperity.

The Olympic Flame will stay in Ioannina tonight, after the end of the second day of the Olympic Τorch Ρelay for the Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018. The journey of the Flame began in the morning of Wednesday from Patras and continued crossing the Charilaos Trikoupis bridge, offering the opportunity for impressive photographic highlights.

The welcome in Antirrio was impressive with the pupils of all the schools waiting for the Olympic Flame, at the sculpture of the runner which is displayed prominently at the site.

The Sacred Light arrived later in Nafpaktos where there was a wonderful welcome by the citizens. The sculpture that is dedicated to Giorgos Anemogiannis, a hero of the Greek revolution who set fire to hostile ships, connected perfectly with the torchbearer Georgia Troumbouki who carried the Flame on the pier of Nafpaktos harbour.

The Torch Relay continued until Messolonghi, where the central Square was once again flooded by hundreds of children who had the opportunity to witness the symbol of Olympism. The town of Agrinio was the next stop, where the former international basketball player Christos Myrionis kindled the cauldron in the central square of the city, while the town of Arta with its beautiful bridge was the perfect backdrop for the Olympic Flame.

Ioannina was the last stop of the day, where the cauldroon was lit by the Olympic champion of rowing in Rio, Stefanos Douskos, who with the quadruple took the 6th place in the last Olympic Games. In every part of Greece, where a ceremony takes place, the Chairman of the Torch Relay Commission, Thanasis Vassiliadis and the representative of the Organising Committee address the public.

On Thursday, the third day of the Torch Relay, the Flame will begin its journey from Ioannina and after crossing Grevena and Kozani, it will end in Kastoria.

From the historic land of Macedonia and the beautiful town of Kastoria, the Flame of the ΧΧΙΙΙ Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018, sends messages of peace and friendship among the peoples, on the third day of the Greek leg of the Torch Relay.

The cauldron at the Olympic Flame Park was lit by the Olympic winner Christina Giazitzidou, who was born in the town, in the presence of thousands of residents, including children holding Greek and Korean flags as well as flags with the five Olympic Rings.

In the morning of Thursday, October 26, the Olympic Flame began its journey from Ioannina where it stayed overnight. The torchbearers carried it along the shores of Lake Pamvotida, continuing the journey to the town of Grevena. Young and old who were gathered to warmly welcome the Olympic light at Amilianou Square, had the opportunity to witness to symbol of friendship, peace and solidarity.

Kozani was the next stop, where thousands of citizens flooded the streets to watch the Olympic Flame and the torchbearers who were carrying it. On Friday, October 27, on the fourth day of the Torch Relay, the Olympic Flame will start its journey from Kastoria, will pass through Florina, Edessa, Giannitsa and end up in Thessaloniki, where, after passing through Toumba and the Olympic Museum, it will stay overnight next to the Statue of the Alexander the Great. The Olympic Channel follows the Olympic Flame on the Greek leg of the Torch Relay, broadcasting all over the world through its website www.olympicchannel.com and its Social Media.

The statue of Alexander the Great shines with the light of the Olympic Flame in Thessaloniki on the fourth day of the Torch Relay, organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Today, as the sun shined bright over Macedonia, the Flame for the “PyeongChang 2018” Winter Olympic Games, began its journey in the hands of the world champion of rowing Yiannis Christou.

The town of Florina was the next stop, then the town of Giannitsa. In Giannitsa, the cauldron was lit by the taekwondo Olympic medalist Elisabeth Mystakidou.The town of Edessa was the next stop, with its spectacular waterfalls forming the perfect scenery for the Olympic Flame.

In all the above mentioned towns, crowds of people flooded the streets in order to welcome the symbol of Olympism, showing that the Olympic values are in the heart of the Greeks. The last stop of the fourth day of the Torch Relay was Thessaloniki, where the Flame went to Toumba, where the Chairman of the Olympic Torch Relay Commission, Thanasis Vasileiadis, lit the cauldron. At the Olympic Museum of Thessaloniki, the HOC 1st Vice President, Stelios Angeloudis, lit the cauldron.

The cauldron at the statue of Alexander the Great, was lit by the champion skiing, Manos Zografos. Among the Torchbearers were the Olympic Champions Voula Patoulidou, World Champion Vassilis Tsolakidis, Paralympionian Antonis Tsapatakis, the gymnastics coach, Thanasis Kapnidis and numerous personalities of sports and social life. On Saturday, October 28, on the fifth day of the Torch Relay, the Flame will start its journey from Thessaloniki, with the following stops: Kilkis, Rodopoli, Sidirokastro, Serres, Drama and will stay overnight in Naoussa.

Not even the rainy weather could prevent the journey of the Flame towards the Winter Olympic Games “PYEONGCHANG 2018”, on the 5th day of the Torch Relay in Central Macedonia. The Torch Relay was concluded late on Saturday night in Naoussa, with the cauldron being lit by the skiing champion Sofia Ralli, who took the sacred Light of Olympism by the skiing champion Maria Ntanou.

Before Naoussa, the Flame had been warmly welcomed at the Ancient Theatre of Mieza, where Aristotle had established his school, something the Mayor of Naoussa Nikos Koutsogiannis stressed out, underlying the inextricable link of the city with the values of the Ancient Greeks.

The Olympic Flame also passed through Drama, with the gold Olympic medalist Anna Korakaki lighting the cauldron at the central square of the city. The skiing champion Maria Tsakiri and the athletics champion Kostas Douvalidis also carried the Olympic Flame.

The most impressive picture of the day came from Rodopolis, where children, wearing t-shirts of the PyeongChang Olympic Games, waited for the Light of Olympism at the entrance of the city and ran along. The 5th day of the Torch Relay began from the statue of Alexander the Great in Thessalonica, continued to Kilkis and crossed Sidirokastro and Serres. On Sunday, the journey of the Flame will begin from Naousa and after stops in Veria, Katerini, Litochoro and Larissa will reach Delfi.

From the Center of the world, the magical Delphi according to the Ancient Greeks, the Olympic Flame sends messages of peace, culture and universality, during the 6th day of the Torch Relay for the “PyeongChang 2018” Winter Olympic Games.

The symbol of Olympism entered the Archaeological Site in the hands of Georgia Marre who lit the cauldron that was placed at the Temple of God Apollo. It was a thrilling experience for all those who were present and witnessed these unique moments.

The imposing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Sports George Vassiliadis, while the Hellenic Olympic Committee, which organizes the Torch Relay, was represented by the President of the Torch Relay Commission, Athanasios Vassiliadis. The Mayor of Delphi Thanasis Panagiotopoulos also thanked those who assisted in order for the Olympic Flame to stay overnight at the Archaeological Site.

The journey of the Flame began on Sunday morning from Naoussa, crossed Veria and Katerini where the cauldron was lit by the Olympic champion in rowing Katerina Nikolaidou. Litohoro, situated under the shadow of the residence of the Greek Gods, Mount Olympus, was the next stop. The Flame was handed over to the last Torchbearer, former international basketball player Dimos Dikoudis by the athletics champion Lili Alexoudi. The Torch Relay was concluded in Delphi. The journey will begin again on Monday morning and, after passing through Arahova, Livadia and Elefsina, the Olympic Flame will arrive in Athens and stay in Acropolis overnight.

The Handover ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the XXIII PyeongChang 2018 winter Olympic Games will take place tomorrow, October 31st, at the Panathenaic Stadium, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos.
The Handover ceremony will begin at 11.00 with sport – cultural events from Greece and the Republic of Korea.
The Greek General Gymnastics Team “Olympiada Thakomakedonon”, consisting of 90 young male and female participants will present the programme “the Wolves and the Moon”.
The Republic of Korea will create a lyrical atmosphere with dances and songs from the Republic of Korea and will also present the Olympic Torch Relay theme.
The last torchbearer who will enter the Panathenaic Stadium is the champion in skiing Ioannis Proios. Second to last torchbearer will be the former speed skating athlete KIM Ki-hoon, three-time gold medalist of the Republic of Korea.
The High Priestess is the actress Katerina Lehou, the choreographer is Artemis Ignatiou, while the musical composer is Yiannis Psimadas.

From the sacred rock of the Acropolis, reference point of Athens and Greece, the Olympic Flame sends its glow to the whole world, together with its diachronic messages. The cauldron was lit in the Acropolis by the Olympic champion Dimosthenis Tambakos, on the end of the 7th day of the Torch Relay for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Dimosthenis Tambakos took the Flame from the Olympic medalists, in order, Maria Georgatou, Dimitris Mougios, Tonia Moraiti, Dimitra Asilian, Dimitris Tzimourtos who also run as Torch Bearers, while the HOC President Spyros Capralos carried the Olympic Flame in front of the Columns of Olympian Zeus. Mr Capralos referred to the success of the Torch Relay in Greece and to the warm welcome by the Greeks in every city and village it had visited.

Olympic medalists, Paralympic medalists, world champions, prominent figures of sport, members of the HOC Plenary Session as well as the President of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Kouvelos also carried the symbol of Olympism. The sacred Light began its journey from Delphi after having shed light overnight to the Temple of Apollo in the archaeological site. It then passed through Arahova, Livadia and Elefsina before arriving in Athens.

On Tuesday, the Olympic Flame will begin at 9 in the morning from the Acropolis and will reach the Panathenaic Stadium at 11.30, where the Handover Ceremony to the Organizing Committee “PyeongChang 2018” will be held.

The Olympic Flame began its long journey to the Republic of Korea for the PeyongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, in a solemn ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios Pavlopoulos. The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos handed the Flame over to the President of the Organizing Committee “PyeongChang 2018” Lee Hee Beom.

The second to last Torchbearer Kim Ki-hoon, Korean Olympic champion in short track speed skating, passed the Flame to the last Torchbearer, Greek champion in skiing Yiannis Proios, who lit the cauldron, while thousands of spectators who had come to the Panathenaic Stadium cheered on him.

The ritual of the priestesses, choreographed by Artemis Ignatiou to the musical composition of Yannis Psimadas followed, while the torch with the Flame was given to Mr Capralos by the High Priestess Katerina Lehou, on her last performance as a High Priestess.

The ceremony was attended by the 1st Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Minister of Culture Lydia Koniordou, the Deputy Minister for Sport Giorgos Vasiliadis, the leader of the political party “To Potami”, the HOC Secretary General Manolis Kolympadis, the President of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Kouvelos, the IOC Honorary Member Lambis Nikolaou and many prominent personalities of sports and politics.

The HOC President Mr Capralos said in his speech: “I am very moved with all that we have experienced during the last days, from the Lighting of the Flame in Ancient Olympia, until it reached this very place, Athens, the capital of Greece. We witnessed the birth of the Olympic light at a touching ceremony at the place where the top sport, social and cultural event started in 776 BC, which turned into the strongest expression of friendship and fair play among the peoples of the whole world. We then witnessed the flame starting its long journey in our country, hand to hand, conveying the eternal messages of peace and fraternity. Now, the time has come for this journey in our country to come to an end, an in ideal closing here, at the Panathenaic stadium, the stadium connecting the ancient with the modern Olympic Games. The Flame which will be handed over in a few minutes to the delegation of PyeongChang, is a strong symbol of tradition and values governing the Olympic Movement. It is a beacon for the Olympic values. It is the symbol of universal peace. We are handing over, today, the Olympic Flame, so that you carry it to your distant but most beautiful country and so that it keeps sending the messages of peace, friendship and fraternity throughout its journey.”

The President of the Organizing Committee “PyeongChang 2018” stressed: “We are honored that the PyeongChang Winter Games represents the second time the Olympic Flame will be in Korea, since the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympic Games. The slogan of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay, "Let Everyone Shine," means the Olympic flame will shine for each and everyone's dream, passions and future anytime and anywhere. The Olympic flame embodies this significant meaning. When the Olympic flame arrives in Korea, we also celebrate another milestone – 100 days to go until the start of Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. The Olympic Torch Relay will be a very special journey that will shine throughout the host nation, for the dreams and passion toward winter sports in Asia and beyond. We are ready to welcome the world to PyeongChang. Construction of competition and non-competition venues are complete. The PyeongChang 2018 will be an Olympics of peace and harmony. PyeongChang 2018 will inspire younger generations and deliver the Olympic values of respect, friendship and peace to the world.”

Greek and Korean cultural events were held before the Handover of the Flame. The Greek event was performed by the general gymnastics team “Olympiada Thrakomakedonon”, consisting of 90 young girls and boys who presented the programme “The wolves and the moon”. The Korean event included a lyrical atmosphere with dancing and songs as well as the Olympic Torch Relay Theme Song.

Photos from the Handover Ceremony for PyeongChang Winter Olympics which took place at the Panathenaic Stadium on the 31st of October.

The President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach congratulated Greece in the most formal way for the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame in Ancient Olympia on October 24. In his opening address to the General Assembly of the Association of the National Olympic Committees in Prague today, Mr Bach, addressing the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos, congratulated him on the excellent organization of the ceremony he had attended himself.

Mr Capralos, currently attending the works of the General Assembly, accompanied by the HOC Secretary General Manolis Kolymbadis, the HOC member and Chairman of the HOC’s Ethics Commission Emmanuel Katsiadakis and the member of the HOC Plenary Session Xenia Argitaki, stressed: “We would like to thank you for honoring this important event, the Lighting Ceremony of the Flame for the Winter Olympic Games “PyeongChang 2018”. Thank you very much for your kind words for the organization. I think the message that you passed to the world when you invited in Olympia the Presidents of the Olympic Committees of the countries that will host the next Olympic Games, shows the unity and solidarity of the Olympic Movement and that is a very important dimension.”

Greece received a very positive response for the excellent organizing of the two Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame, in Ancient Olympia and at the Panathenaic Stadium. The President of the Organizing Committee of the next Winter Olympic Games Hee-beom LEE spoke highly about the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos and the Chairman of the Olympic Torch Relay Commission Thanassis Vassiliadis, who followed the sacred Light on its journey around Greece. After the end of the Handover Ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium, the Korean delegation asked to be photographed with the High Priestess Katerina Lehou, the choreographer Artemis Ignatiou and all those who participated in the ceremonies of the Flame. The Japanese observers who came here, in view of the 2020 Olympic Games, were impressed by the organizational quality and the professionalism demonstrated by all those who participated in this project, highlighting Greece in the best possible way. Watch here the answer of the HOC President Spyros Capralos to the IOC President Thomas Bach:

The International Olympic Committee has announced that the Gold Olympic medalist in shooting Anna Korakaki has been selected as Role Model Athlete for the Youth Olympic Games that will be held next October in Buenos Aires.
Korakaki is among 25 women and men athletes, who were suggested by International sports federations, in order to travel to the capital of Argentina during the Games and give advice and support to 3998 young athletes who will participate in the event.
The selection of the specific athletes has been made based on the criteria of excellent personality and of irreproachable character, and is a great honour for Anna Korakaki.

The Olympic Truce for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly on Monday (13 November) in New York, USA, following two hours of discussions between Member States.

The resolution titled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and Olympic ideal” calls on nations of the world to uphold the Olympic Truce during the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It was formally submitted to the General Assembly by South Korea, on behalf of the Olympic Movement and the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee (POCOG), led by its President Lee Hee-beom.

The consensus for the Olympic Truce resolution included both South Korea and North Korea, as well as future host countries of the Olympic and Paralympic Games: Japan, China, France and the USA.

By adopting the resolution, the international community at the United Nations recognises the power of sport and the relevance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to bring the world together in peaceful competition, providing hope for a better future.

The first operative clause of the resolution specifically asks Member States “to ensure the safe passage, access and participation of athletes, officials and all other accredited persons taking part in the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games”.

It also urges countries to cease conflicts during the period of the Olympic Truce that begins seven days before the opening of the Olympic Winter Games and until the seventh day after the closing of the Paralympic Winter Games. During this time countries are urged to harness sport to foster and encourage concrete action that promotes dialogue and reconciliation during the Games and beyond.

Following the adoption of the resolution, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “For the athletes who will gather in PyeongChang for the Olympic Winter Games, this resolution will carry a special significance, a deeply personal one. With the Olympic Truce resolution, the United Nation General Assembly is creating the conditions for all athletes to compete in peace. Only the UN Member States can guarantee the athletes a safe passage to the Olympic Games. They make it possible for all the Olympic athletes to realise their dream of a lifetime.”

He continued: “The Olympic athletes show the whole world that it is possible to compete with each other while living peacefully together under one roof at the same time.”

In his remarks, the President of the United Nations General Assembly H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajcak, said: "The Olympic Games and the United Nations aspire to the same ideal. This is an ideal based on humanity. It says that, no matter what is going on in state capitals around the world, people will always have a space in which to engage and connect."

The Hellenic Olympic Committee awarded prizes to men and women athletes who excelled in 2017 in European and World Championships and their trainers, in a wonderful ceremony, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Prokopios Pavlopoulos, who was also awarded by the HOC President Spyros Capralos for his practical, unreserved and continuous support to Greek Sport. The Trophy of Excellence “Dimitrios Vikelas”, established by the HOC, was also awarded to leading personalities in sports who have offered volunteering work.

The Trophy was awarded to the former Minister and member of the HOC Plenary Session Fani Palli Petralia and to the HOC Vice President Pavlos Kanellakis. The IOC Trophy “Sport Beyond Borders” was also awarded, following HOC’s proposal, to the Mayor of Lesvos Spyros Galinos who received the Trophy on behalf of the local community for the way they managed the migration crisis. Personalities who contributed to staging the Lighting and Handover ceremonies of the Olympic Flame as well as the new sponsors of the HOC were also awarded. The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos, mentioned in his address speech that in the course of January 2018 the HOC will submit to the Deputy Minister for Sport an amended version of its statutes for approval. The Minister will in turn proceed with bill passing: “Unfortunately, the Hellenic Olympic Committee still is a Legal Entity of Public Law, and as such, its operations are hindered by the relevant legal restrictions applying to the whole public sector. A number of administration/management issues, such as the participation of sports teams in competitions abroad, are contained and obstructed by bureaucracy, ultimately leading to increased expenditure, wasted work hours, inefficiency”.

Moreover, Mr. Capralos referred to the issue of granting incentives to athletes: “Let us at last incentivize the athletes, by allocating credit points for admission to Schools of Higher Education of their own preference, with extra credit points when it comes to Olympic sports. Let us allow the Olympic winners to serve the public sector or the armed forces during their sports career”. Finally, he invited eminent businessmen to support the program “Adopt an Athlete on the Way to Tokyo”. “I invite the Greek entrepreneurial community, deeply aware of the immense charity work they are engaged in, to assist the Greek sport heroes. They are young people who represent our country in the best possible way and make Greeks all over the world brim over with joy and pride. I therefore invite, once more, the Greek entrepreneurs to contribute to the program “Adopt an Athlete on the way to Tokyo”. The funds raised by the “adoption program” are directly allocated to the athletes, without any intervention whatsoever on the part of HOC or any Federation. The athletes who benefited from the previous version of the program, fully acknowledged the substantial support they received and it is no secret that all six medals of the Rio Olympics were won by “adopted’ athletes.

The Panathenaic Stadium, the venue of the first modern Olympics in 1896, in central Athens, received a record number of visitors in 2017, the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) said on Thursday.

A total of 223,471 people, including 100,041 young pupils and students, visited the site, which is managed by HOC and is one of Athens’s most popular tourist attractions and landmarks.

The stadium was reopened to the public after a long hiatus in 2010. Since then more and more Greeks and foreigners have visited the place where the Marathon race ends and the handover ceremonies for the Olympic Flame are held.

The Panathenaic Stadium features an audio tour included in the price of the ticket. Upon entering the grounds, each visitor receives an audio guide device in 10 languages (English, French, German, Italian, Greek, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, Russian and Chinese). The tour also includes a visit to an exhibition of posters and torches from the 1896 Olympics to today.

All proceeds support the work of HOC in particular during the years of the debt crisis in Greece when it receives fewer state funds, the press announcement concluded.

The alpine skiing champion Sofia Ralli will be the torchbearer of the Greek Team at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games “PyeongChang 2018” on the coming Friday, following decision of the HOC Plenary Session.
“It is a great honour, being selected by the HOC to carry our national symbol in the greatest sporting event. Knowing the history of our country and with great respect, I would like to thank the HOC for recognizing the efforts and struggle made by both me and my family so far. I wish good luck to all the athletes and the members of the Hellenic delegation in PyeongChang” said Sofia Ralli.
Sofia Ralli is 30 years old. She was born on March 4, 1988 in Naousa and is the most experienced athlete of the National team. This is the third time she is participating in Olympic Games, after the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and the Sochi Olympics in 2014. She is an athlete of the Naousa Sports Club and started skiing at the age of 8. She has graduated from the School of Physical Education and Sport Science and lives in Naousa.