The HOC President and IOC member Spyros Capralos welcomed a delegation from the Brazilian Olympic Committee headed by the great marathon runner and bronze medalist of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, who made history with his triumphant finish in the Panathenaic Stadium after an epic race marked by the unexpected event of being attacked by a spectator when he had the lead, something which cost him the chance to win the gold medal.

The great Brazilian athlete shared with Mr. Capralos and the HOC Secretary General Manolis Kolympadis his memories of the Athens Olympic Games with the bronze medal, the great joy he felt when he crossed the finish line, and how he managed to overcome the shock of the attack, regain his pace, and continue his race until the end, to fulfill the biggest dream of his life, winning an Olympic Medal at the authentic Marathon event.

President Capralos congratulated the great marathoner for his ethics, integrity and the Olympic spirit that he has demonstrated and left a brilliant mark in the history of the Olympic Games.