Thousands of people, men and women, young and older participated in the celebration of the Olympic Day, inviting people to include sport in everyday life. It was the first time that actions were held in three different cities of Greece, in Athens, Thessaloniki and Ancient Olympia. Participation surpassed every expectation in 11 actions organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Hellenic Olympic Academy and various foundations in 10 different regions.
In the framework of these actions, a message for the Olympic Day of the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach was projected and commemorative hats as well as commemorative diplomas were given out to the people who participated in the celebrations. The SNF Run raised the most numerous participation. It was organized by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, under the auspices of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and over 5000 runners started from the Panathenaic Stadium and finished at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC). The Kids’ Athletics program was also held at the SNFCC. Children were taught by Olympic medalists and great champions.
People also showed great enthusiasm in various celebrations organized in Ancient Olympia by the municipality of Olympia. The celebrations were held in the presence of the HOC Secretary General Manolis Kolymbadis and the members of the HOC Fani Petralia and Giorgos Alikakos.
Extensive was also the participation in the COSMOGYM Festival & Contest, held at the Peristeri Indoor Hall on the day of the celebration of the Olympic Day. The Festival was held in the presence of the HOC member and President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation Thanassis Vassileiadis with the participation of 1100 athletes. President’s Capralos message was heard and the video message of the IOC President Thomas Bach was projected.
Thessaloniki was the third city where the Olympic Day was celebrated with the sport programme Kids Olympics. Kids Olympics, a simulation of Olympic sports, was held at the Olympic Museum of the city. In addition, the children of the Summer Camp "5 Rings" celebrated the Olympic day at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, under the guidance of the Olympic champions, Nikos Syranidis, Niki Bakoyannis and Olga Vasdeki, in the presence of the HOC member Yiannis Karras.
Approximately 100 children from 8 to 18 years old from the "Club of sportsmen of Nea Ionia" participated in activities at the mountain and the sea (climbing, mountaineering, swimming at sea and beach handball) in the region of Schinias and Parnitha. Finally, 52 pupils from the Summer Camp of the private school “Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi” experienced the sport of sailing as they visited the Kalamaki Naval Club with their physical education teachers. They got into different types of boats and got a first taste of this unique Olympic sport.
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