The Olympic Flame, from the Acropolis Museum sends its glow to the whole world, together with its special symbolism, after the completion of the sixth day of the torch relay on Greek territory.
The cauldron at the Acropolis Museum, where the Flame will remain overnight, was lit by the Secretary General of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Manolis Katsiadakis. The sacred light had crossed the Acropolis in the hands of the Olympic champion Pyrros Dimas, Voula Kozomboli, Georgia Ellinaki, Aggeliki Karapataki, Evi Moraitidou, Virginia Kravarioti and Nikos Deligiannis. The President of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Kouvelos carried the Olympic Flame at Dionysiou Areopagitou street. He was followed by Sakis Rouvas, who is the ambassador of the event that will be held on Wednesday at the Panathenaic Stadium.
Extremely symbolic was also the moment when the Syrian refugee Ibrahim Al Hussein took the Olympic Flame from the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Carpalos at the Open Reception Centre for Refugees in Eleonas, sending a message of support to all the people who have left their home countries because of the war, in search of a better and safer future.
The Syrian refugee, speaking to hundreds of journalists who showed great interest in this symbolic moment, said: “I’ve been practicing sports for 22 years, but this has been the top moment for me. I am very happy and wish to thank all Greeks for this great honour. I feel Greek and hope that maybe I can compete in the Olympics with the Greek team. What I want to tell to the refugees is that, like I do, they can also continue their lives and do many different things.”
The HOC President Spyros Capralos, who stood by him all the time, stated: “It is a great moment for Olympism and for the refugees. The symbolism of Imbrahim carrying the Olympic Flame sent a message towards all directions for the drama of these people. I wish to thank the IOC President Thomas Bach for accepting our proposal to have a refugee running as a torch bearer, carrying the highest symbol of Olympism.”
On Tuesday, April 26, 6th day of the torch relay, the Flame began its journey from Larisa, crossed Halkida, where the cauldron was lit by the Olympic champion Irini Aindili and arrived in Marathonas, where the Olympic champion Kostas Thanos lit the cauldron. The Flame was then handed over to the marathon Olympic champion, Portuguese Roza Mota, officially invited by the municipality of Marathon.
The torch relay continued in Athens with a special ceremony at the ministry of Defense, attended by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Evangelos Apostolakis and the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos.
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