| President's welcome message |
Dear Friends
We are entering the final straight towards the “London 2012” Olympic Games. April 18th marked the 100-day countdown to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the London Olympic Stadium. In spite of difficult times, Greece will be represented in the top sporting event with a particularly strong team, having so far ensured 75 athletes, while this number will increase even more, as we claim more qualifications, both in individual and team sports. The Hellenic Olympic Committee has pledged from the beginning to send to the Olympics all the qualified athletes and I am sure that they will fight in order to honor our country and Greek sports. Greece participates regularly in all the Olympics since 1896 and onwards and I believe that in the British capital we will prove that we honor and respect our ancestors’ legacy that conceived and gave birth to the Olympic Games. At the same time we will send a message to every direction that our country is a proud country that does not give up easily. We have faced the same challenge on 10th May in Ancient Olympia, with the Lighting Ceremony for the “London 2012” Olympic Games and a week later on 17th May with the Handover Ceremony of the sacred light to the British delegation, at the Panathenaic Stadium,. The two Ceremonies were a great opportunity for the Greeks wishing to give a dynamic presence, reminding the world that it all started here. All the people that attended the Ceremonies had the chance to travel back in time and in the history of Olympism and sport.
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