The EU project “Together in Sport – Phase II” has come to a successful conclusion
The Hellenic Olympic Committee, in cooperation with the NGO METAdrasi (Project Coordinator) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), jointly celebrated the completion of the EU project “Together in Sport – Phase II”. The project aimed to promote social inclusion and cohesion among local children and youth, refugees, third-country nationals, and children with disabilities.
The closing ceremony took place on Thursday, 9th of July 2026, at the Marathon Run Museum, in the presence of representatives of the project’s funders (the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees – BAMF and the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund – AMIF), officials from the General Secretariat for Sports, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, local government authorities, as well as numerus Olympians and elite athletes.
Building on the success and the strong foundations laid during the project’s first phase (2021-2022), which benefited more than 9,000 children, far exceeding the initial target of 3,000, “Together in Sport” continued for another three years (September 2023-September 2026), achieving impressive results: 13,634 beneficiaries in sports and cultural activities – 2,008 unaccompanied minors – 753 children with disabilities – 10,833 participants in sports events – 267 volunteers, including 34 Olympians and 57 elite athletes – 33 weekly training groups across 11 sports in Attica, Tanagra and Mytilene – 105 sports events introducing 34 Olympic sports – Donation of sports equipment worth €14,437 – 12 online educational workshops – Cooperation with dozens of sports clubs, sports federations, Olympic Movement organizations and public entities.
Setting the tone for the welcome addresses, the President and Founder of the NGO METAdrasi, Ms. Lora Pappa, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the project’s deep social impact, emphasizing the importance of establishing solid foundations that remain as a lasting legacy to the society.
Subsequently, Ms. Voula Kozompoli OLY, Member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee’s Plenary and Chair of its Athletes’ Committee, pointed out: “…the HOC’s volunteers, the Olympians, the elite athletes and the coaches are the true ‘heart’ of Together in Sport – Phase II…At a time of intense challenges, sports remain the brightest example for a society of equality, inclusion and solidarity”.
In the same vein, the representative of the General Secretariat of Sports, Ms. Agi Kasoumi OLY, emphasized: “Thousands of children and youth of different origins, along with children from the local community and people with disabilities, developed, shared experiences, built friendships, and proved that sports facilities can become spaces of encounter and mutual understanding.
Prominent figures also delivered welcome remarks, including the General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons & Institutional Protection, Mr. Heracles Moskoff, the Head of Division for International Cooperation and Migration Policy of BAMF, Ms. Karin Patock, the representative of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, Mr. Tobias Antoni, as well as the Mayor of Marathon, Mr. Stergios Tsirkas, while a written welcome message on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Ms. Sevi Voloudaki, was presented to the audience.
In a deeply emotional atmosphere, people on the front lines of the project also took the floor. Lieutenant Commanders of the Hellenic Coast Guard and elite athletes, Ms. Kalliopi Menelaou and Mr. Andreas Indra, shared their experiences as project volunteers, alongside Greece’s first female professional boxer, Ms. Anastasia Pontika, who generously hosted the weekly Kick-Boxing training sessions at her sport club free of charge.
The event was attended, among others, by the President of the International Olympic Academy, Mr. Harilaos Tsolakis, and the OLYs: Georgia Ellinaki, Tonia Moraiti, Vasilis Polymeros, Nikos Skiathitis, Voula Zygouri, Giorgos Tzelilis, Lefteris Konsolas, Dimitra Magkanoudaki, Vasso Karadasiou, Antonis Bougiouris, and Christina Zachariadou. The event concluded in the Museum’s courtyard in a festive atmosphere, where guests watched a circuit program of Olympic sports guided by 14 elite athletes.
