“Olympic Day Run” & “The Smile Of the Child” Join Forces For A Special Cause
- by XpatAthens
- Monday, 06 September 2021
The ultimate Olympic experience, the “Olympic Day Run”, returns for the 4th year in a row on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Thessaloniki.
The sole Olympic Road Running Race in the country, which is promoting the Olympic spirit and “fair play”, is expected to take place with Olympians, Paralympians, other distinguished athletes and coaches, sports clubs and associations from all over the country, as well as with active citizens, In the context of this year’s “Olympic Day Run”, a press conference was held at the amphitheater of the Hellenic Olympic Committee wherein the collaboration with “The Smile of the Child” was officially announced.
Dr. Kyriaki Oudatzi, Director of the Olympic Museum and “Olympic Day Run” General Director highlighted the special features of this unique Olympic Road Running Race, which have turned it into a landmark event contributing decisively to the cultural and tourist development of the country.
The press conference opened the President of the Race’s Organizing Committee and Thessaloniki’s Mayor, Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, while the welcoming speeches of the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Kapralos, and of the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, placed emphasis on the race’s great significance and potential for the world and the Olympic family.
Specifically, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis noted:
“The Olympic Day Run is a unique event in our country commemorating the International Olympic Day. It is an important running event that communicates Greece internationally as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and Thessaloniki as a world Olympic center. According to the International Olympic Day, the Olympic Games are not just about racing and making performances, they are a timeless idea, originating from antiquity, being passed from generation to generation, and continuing undistracted through time. The Olympic Games teach the value of the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of athletes from different socio-cultural backgrounds. Olympism demonstrates that peace, ‘fair play, and sportsmanship are essential components of the society we wish to have. It is a great opportunity to join forces and build on the solid values of the Olympic ideal”.
Mr. Spyros Kapralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, President of the European Olympic Committees, and member of the International Olympic Committee stated:
“With great pleasure, the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum decided to dedicate this year’s Olympic Day Run to the important cause supported by the organization ‘The Smile of the Child’. The Olympic Day Run is a running race with a social character that actively communicates the Olympic values, highlighting sportsmanship, the importance of fair play and solidarity, one of the main values behind the continuous effort of ‘The Smile of the Child’. This year, through this collaboration, we wish to share smiles with these children who represent the future of our country, and show them that the Olympic Family stands by their side, supporting them in their struggle, thus connecting the essence of solidarity with the Olympic Ideal”.
Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Day Run Greece and Mayor of Thessaloniki highlighted: “It is important to keep the Olympic spirit alive through sports events, especially in Greece. It is a special honor and joy to host for the 4th consecutive year in Thessaloniki this global event, that was established by the International Olympic Committee to celebrate the revival of the Olympic Games and honor their birthplace. A special feature of this year’s race is that it supports the cause of ‘The Smile of the Child’, sending an important and symbolic message of social sensitivity. From the position of the Mayor of Thessaloniki, but, also, from that of the Organizing Committee’s Chairman, I am expressing my satisfaction for the achievement of our goals”.
Moreover, Mr. Stelios Angeloudis, Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Vice President of the Olympic Museum, stressed that: “The Olympic Day Run Greece, the most important race of the Olympic family, focuses on humanity. Human solidarity and social sensitivity are at the core of Olympic values. We serve them in the Olympic Committee, we highlight them with our activities in the Olympic Museum. These are the reasons why we want the basic Olympic action of our Museum to be dedicated to what makes a child’s smile more beautiful”.
Subsequently, the President of the Board of Directors of the Organization “The Smile of the Child”, Mr. Konstantinos Giannopoulos stated: "The Smile of the Child" in its 25 years of operation, honors, defends, and faithfully follows its founding principles, values , and ideals, such as equality, respect, dignity. Values that are inextricably linked to sports and the spirit of the Olympic idea, as sports education contributes substantially to social and moral education. It is our great pleasure and honor to participate in the 4 th " Olympic Day Run " Greece and in the dissemination of the Olympic idea, following the kind and moving initiative of the Olympic Museum of Thessaloniki. We warmly thank the organizers and participants, who actively support the daily ‘struggle’ of our Organization and wish to be by the side of every child and family who is in need or danger”.
The Olympian in rowing, Mrs. Chryssa Biskitzi, while representing the Hellenic Olympians Association she conveyed the message of the association’s President, Ms. Voula Kozompoli: “The Olympic Day Run is the only running race that is held aiming at disseminating the Olympic Values in the context of the International Olympic Day celebration. As ‘transmitters’ of the Olympic Values, we; the Greek Olympians, have active participation in the organization of this race, through our collective body. As it was announced during the signing of our Cooperation Agreement with the Olympic Museum some time ago, from this year the Hellenic Olympians Association joins forces with the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the International Olympic Academy, and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), so that we altogether announce the start of the 4th Olympic Day Run Greece on Sunday, September 26, in Thessaloniki”.
Mr. Manolis Kolympadis, the General Secretary of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Ms. Xenia Argeitaki, Assistant Professor at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, a former champion in athletics, member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Academy while representing the President of SEGAS, Ms. Sofia Sakorafa, and Ms. Voula Zygouri, Olympian wrestler and board member of the Hellenic Olympic Academy while representing Ms. Evi Moraitidou, President of the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, underlined that the 4th “Olympic Day Run“ Greece is the landmark race of the Olympic family. 125 years after the First Olympic Games of 1896, the event marks the restart of sports through a majestic Olympic occasion honoring universal Olympic values.
The press conference was attended by Olympians and other distinguished athletes - including the Maria Polyzou, the Marathon Runner, Maria Alevizou, Mr. Giorgos Liveris, founding member of the Hellenic Olympians Association, Mr. Ioannis Stathopoulos, Head of Communication in the Hellenic Olympians Association, as well as a number of media representatives who renewed their appointment for the starting line of the 4th “Olympic Day Run” Greece.
Run for a good cause
The “Olympic Day Run” GREECE has joined forces with "The Smile of the Child" wishing to make children smile. You may now support “The Smile of the Child” by registering in the 2km race and selecting here one of the social contribution packages. With your registration, you offer 3 euros to the Organization’s mission.
Register now
The event includes a 10km race for adults, a 5km race for adults and teenagers, and a 2km for all ages. Register now here until 10/09.
The Olympic Museum and Olympic Day Run Gold Sponsor, PROTERGIA, the Grand Sponsor, Ethniki Asfalistiki, the Race’s Silver Sponsor, Thessaloniki Transport Authority (OSETH), the Supply Sponsors, Athos and Dole, the hospitality sponsor Grand Hotel Palace, and the event’s Tourist Support Agency, Greece on the Go, they all serve the vision of Olympism and offer their kind assistance for the implementation of the project. Moreover, they contribute to the country’s promotion on the Olympic world map, as well as in the dissemination of the Olympic values to a better future.
The 4th Olympic Day Run GREECE is organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Olympic Museum, the Hellenic Olympians Association, SEGAS and EAS SEGAS Thessaloniki and DKO OLYMPiA with the participation of Olympians, Paralympians, Distinguished Athletes, Sports Clubs and Institutional Bodies from all over the country, with the support of the Hellenic Olympic Academy, the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, the Greek Paralympians Association, the Region of Central Macedonia and Thessaloniki International Fair-HELEXPO. The event is held under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for Unesco, the Ministry of Interior of the Macedonia- Thrace Sector, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the Municipalities of Ampelokipi- Menemeni, Thermi, Kalamaria, Kordelio-Evosmos, Neapoli-Sykies, Pavlos Melas, Pylaia-Chortiatis, Volvi, Delta, Thermaikos, Lagadas, Chalkidona, Oreokastro, Almopia, Aristotelis, Dion-Olympos, Emmanuel Pappas, Iraklia, Kavala, Kassandra, Kilkis, Naoussa, Polygyros, Serres and Skydra.
For more information:
The Olympic Day Run GREECE is the only Olympic Road Running Race in Greece and the official global event for the celebration of the International Olympic Day. Established by the International Olympic Committee, the organizing authority of the Olympic Games, it aims in spreading the Olympic idea. The worldwide celebration for the establishment of the International Olympic Committee and its decision of organizing the first Modern Olympic Games (ATHENS 1896), sheds the light on Greece, while it raises the country’s position in the Olympic and tourism world map.
The sole Olympic Road Running Race in the country, which is promoting the Olympic spirit and “fair play”, is expected to take place with Olympians, Paralympians, other distinguished athletes and coaches, sports clubs and associations from all over the country, as well as with active citizens, In the context of this year’s “Olympic Day Run”, a press conference was held at the amphitheater of the Hellenic Olympic Committee wherein the collaboration with “The Smile of the Child” was officially announced.
Dr. Kyriaki Oudatzi, Director of the Olympic Museum and “Olympic Day Run” General Director highlighted the special features of this unique Olympic Road Running Race, which have turned it into a landmark event contributing decisively to the cultural and tourist development of the country.
The press conference opened the President of the Race’s Organizing Committee and Thessaloniki’s Mayor, Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, while the welcoming speeches of the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Kapralos, and of the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, placed emphasis on the race’s great significance and potential for the world and the Olympic family.
Specifically, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis noted:
“The Olympic Day Run is a unique event in our country commemorating the International Olympic Day. It is an important running event that communicates Greece internationally as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and Thessaloniki as a world Olympic center. According to the International Olympic Day, the Olympic Games are not just about racing and making performances, they are a timeless idea, originating from antiquity, being passed from generation to generation, and continuing undistracted through time. The Olympic Games teach the value of the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of athletes from different socio-cultural backgrounds. Olympism demonstrates that peace, ‘fair play, and sportsmanship are essential components of the society we wish to have. It is a great opportunity to join forces and build on the solid values of the Olympic ideal”.
Mr. Spyros Kapralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, President of the European Olympic Committees, and member of the International Olympic Committee stated:
“With great pleasure, the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum decided to dedicate this year’s Olympic Day Run to the important cause supported by the organization ‘The Smile of the Child’. The Olympic Day Run is a running race with a social character that actively communicates the Olympic values, highlighting sportsmanship, the importance of fair play and solidarity, one of the main values behind the continuous effort of ‘The Smile of the Child’. This year, through this collaboration, we wish to share smiles with these children who represent the future of our country, and show them that the Olympic Family stands by their side, supporting them in their struggle, thus connecting the essence of solidarity with the Olympic Ideal”.
Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Day Run Greece and Mayor of Thessaloniki highlighted: “It is important to keep the Olympic spirit alive through sports events, especially in Greece. It is a special honor and joy to host for the 4th consecutive year in Thessaloniki this global event, that was established by the International Olympic Committee to celebrate the revival of the Olympic Games and honor their birthplace. A special feature of this year’s race is that it supports the cause of ‘The Smile of the Child’, sending an important and symbolic message of social sensitivity. From the position of the Mayor of Thessaloniki, but, also, from that of the Organizing Committee’s Chairman, I am expressing my satisfaction for the achievement of our goals”.
Moreover, Mr. Stelios Angeloudis, Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Vice President of the Olympic Museum, stressed that: “The Olympic Day Run Greece, the most important race of the Olympic family, focuses on humanity. Human solidarity and social sensitivity are at the core of Olympic values. We serve them in the Olympic Committee, we highlight them with our activities in the Olympic Museum. These are the reasons why we want the basic Olympic action of our Museum to be dedicated to what makes a child’s smile more beautiful”.
Subsequently, the President of the Board of Directors of the Organization “The Smile of the Child”, Mr. Konstantinos Giannopoulos stated: "The Smile of the Child" in its 25 years of operation, honors, defends, and faithfully follows its founding principles, values , and ideals, such as equality, respect, dignity. Values that are inextricably linked to sports and the spirit of the Olympic idea, as sports education contributes substantially to social and moral education. It is our great pleasure and honor to participate in the 4 th " Olympic Day Run " Greece and in the dissemination of the Olympic idea, following the kind and moving initiative of the Olympic Museum of Thessaloniki. We warmly thank the organizers and participants, who actively support the daily ‘struggle’ of our Organization and wish to be by the side of every child and family who is in need or danger”.
The Olympian in rowing, Mrs. Chryssa Biskitzi, while representing the Hellenic Olympians Association she conveyed the message of the association’s President, Ms. Voula Kozompoli: “The Olympic Day Run is the only running race that is held aiming at disseminating the Olympic Values in the context of the International Olympic Day celebration. As ‘transmitters’ of the Olympic Values, we; the Greek Olympians, have active participation in the organization of this race, through our collective body. As it was announced during the signing of our Cooperation Agreement with the Olympic Museum some time ago, from this year the Hellenic Olympians Association joins forces with the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the International Olympic Academy, and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), so that we altogether announce the start of the 4th Olympic Day Run Greece on Sunday, September 26, in Thessaloniki”.
Mr. Manolis Kolympadis, the General Secretary of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Ms. Xenia Argeitaki, Assistant Professor at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, a former champion in athletics, member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Academy while representing the President of SEGAS, Ms. Sofia Sakorafa, and Ms. Voula Zygouri, Olympian wrestler and board member of the Hellenic Olympic Academy while representing Ms. Evi Moraitidou, President of the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, underlined that the 4th “Olympic Day Run“ Greece is the landmark race of the Olympic family. 125 years after the First Olympic Games of 1896, the event marks the restart of sports through a majestic Olympic occasion honoring universal Olympic values.
The press conference was attended by Olympians and other distinguished athletes - including the Maria Polyzou, the Marathon Runner, Maria Alevizou, Mr. Giorgos Liveris, founding member of the Hellenic Olympians Association, Mr. Ioannis Stathopoulos, Head of Communication in the Hellenic Olympians Association, as well as a number of media representatives who renewed their appointment for the starting line of the 4th “Olympic Day Run” Greece.
Run for a good cause
The “Olympic Day Run” GREECE has joined forces with "The Smile of the Child" wishing to make children smile. You may now support “The Smile of the Child” by registering in the 2km race and selecting here one of the social contribution packages. With your registration, you offer 3 euros to the Organization’s mission.
Register now
The event includes a 10km race for adults, a 5km race for adults and teenagers, and a 2km for all ages. Register now here until 10/09.
The Olympic Museum and Olympic Day Run Gold Sponsor, PROTERGIA, the Grand Sponsor, Ethniki Asfalistiki, the Race’s Silver Sponsor, Thessaloniki Transport Authority (OSETH), the Supply Sponsors, Athos and Dole, the hospitality sponsor Grand Hotel Palace, and the event’s Tourist Support Agency, Greece on the Go, they all serve the vision of Olympism and offer their kind assistance for the implementation of the project. Moreover, they contribute to the country’s promotion on the Olympic world map, as well as in the dissemination of the Olympic values to a better future.
The 4th Olympic Day Run GREECE is organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Olympic Museum, the Hellenic Olympians Association, SEGAS and EAS SEGAS Thessaloniki and DKO OLYMPiA with the participation of Olympians, Paralympians, Distinguished Athletes, Sports Clubs and Institutional Bodies from all over the country, with the support of the Hellenic Olympic Academy, the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, the Greek Paralympians Association, the Region of Central Macedonia and Thessaloniki International Fair-HELEXPO. The event is held under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for Unesco, the Ministry of Interior of the Macedonia- Thrace Sector, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the Municipalities of Ampelokipi- Menemeni, Thermi, Kalamaria, Kordelio-Evosmos, Neapoli-Sykies, Pavlos Melas, Pylaia-Chortiatis, Volvi, Delta, Thermaikos, Lagadas, Chalkidona, Oreokastro, Almopia, Aristotelis, Dion-Olympos, Emmanuel Pappas, Iraklia, Kavala, Kassandra, Kilkis, Naoussa, Polygyros, Serres and Skydra.
For more information:
The Olympic Day Run GREECE is the only Olympic Road Running Race in Greece and the official global event for the celebration of the International Olympic Day. Established by the International Olympic Committee, the organizing authority of the Olympic Games, it aims in spreading the Olympic idea. The worldwide celebration for the establishment of the International Olympic Committee and its decision of organizing the first Modern Olympic Games (ATHENS 1896), sheds the light on Greece, while it raises the country’s position in the Olympic and tourism world map.