Ioannina welcomed the Olympic Flame warmly and with a brilliant ceremony, as part of the Torch Relay for the “PARIS 2O24” Olympic Games.
The Olympic Torch Relay began with the arrival of the Olympic Flame at Dodoni Avenue and ended at Mavili Square, where the welcoming ceremony took place.
The flame was carried on behalf of the municipality of Ioannito by torchbearers Pantelis Kitsios, Panagiota Manopoulou, Christos Tsiouris and Dimitris Chronis, while the altar was lit by Nestoras Kolios.
Afterwards, with the Flame lit against the backdrop of Lake Pamvotida, there were speeches by the Municipal Authority, the Olympic Committee of the French Republic, and the Region of Epirus, as well as dance performances.
The mayor of Ioannina, Thomas Begas, welcomed the officials and emphasized, among other things, during his greeting: “This flame is the symbol of Olympism, an idea that was born in Greece and spread throughout the world, an idea that unites humanity in a celebration of sports, peace and solidarity. The flame we welcome today is a symbol of hope and light, a fire that flickers to remind us of the strength of the human spirit and the resilience we can show even in the most difficult of times. The Olympic Games represent much more than a set of sporting events. It is an event that unites people from different cultures, races and nationalities, promoting understanding and respect for each other. Through sports competitiveness, we can strengthen – peace and cooperation. As this flame passes through our land, let us pledge to keep it alive in our hearts. Ioannina has given birth to Olympians and we are very lucky that our athletes – fellow citizens have glorified the colors of our homeland, but also of their special homeland, Ioannina. So let’s take it upon ourselves to encourage sportsmanship, spirituality and solidarity in our community. Let us continue to join forces for a more peaceful, more just and more humane world. I invite you all together to light the light of hope and solidarity and to wish good success at the Olympic Games in Paris”.
On behalf of the Region of Epirus, the deputy governor, Vassilis Gorgolis, pointed out, among other things, the importance of the timeless message of peace conveyed by the Olympic Games, while he wished good success to the French organizers and the Greek athletes.
The consul of France in Thessaloniki, JeanLuc Lavaud, addressed a greeting, who emphasized that “the embassy of France and the organizing committee of the 2024 Olympic Games are here today, together with the Greek Olympic Committee to highlight the Olympic Ideal and its values of Olympism that make up our common cultural heritage, but also the bonds of friendship that unite France and Greece”.
Finally, on behalf of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the president of the Torch Relay committee, Athanasios Vasiliadis, addressed a greeting, who noted that “we join our voices with the local communities and broadcast the message of the Olympic Flame: peace, love and fellowship of peoples”.
The Olympic Flame will spend the night in Ioannina and tomorrow morning it will go to the University of Ioannina, where a welcome ceremony will also be held there, to continue its journey to the city of Igoumenitsa.
