The President of the Hellenic Republic Mrs Katerina Sakellaropoulou declared at the Lighthouse of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center the opening of the works of the 64th International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors of the International Olympic Academy, which will be held in Ancient Olympia until June 21.

The main topic of this year’s session is: “The athlete insociety” with the special topic: “The athlete in modern society: inspiring & fostering unity.”  The Session will be attended by 140 young people from 80 countries while 20 coordinators and 11 speakers will contribute. The Young Ambassadors from all over the world were welcomed by the ΙΟΑ President Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos.

The ICMG Secretary General, Mr. Iakovos Filippousis conveyed the message of the President of theInternational Olympic Committee, Dr. Thomas Bach ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “The athletes will show us what greatness humans are capable of with all their excellence, determination and resilience. This power of sport will make the Olympic Games Paris 2024 a great symbol of human excellence and unity of all human kind in all our diversity. These expectations are shared by billions of people around the world. In these difficult times we are living through, people are fed up with all the hate, the aggression and negative news they are facing day in and day out. In their hearts – in all our hearts – weare longing for something which brings us together. We are longing for something that gives us hope.

In Paris, the athletes will inspire us with their achievements – they will inspire the world by living our Olympic motto: Faster,Higher, Stronger – Together.

This is why I would like to compliment the International Olympic Academy, under the great leadership of its President Isidoros Kouvelos, for putting the spotlight on the role of the athlete in society at this International Session. Athletes are not only at the heart of the Olympic Games– the athletes are the heart of the Olympic Movement. You could not have chosena more appropriate topic to focus on in this Olympic Year.

Athletes not only inspire the world through their achievements at the Olympic Games. Many of them go to become role models through the uplifting work they do to give back to their communities. With the rigorous programme that President Kouvelos and his team have undoubtedly prepared for you, I am sure you will discuss many examples during your International Session of how also beyond the Olympic Games, athletes are makinga difference in their communities around the world.”

On behalf of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the A’ Vice President and Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr. Stelios Aggeloudis addressed to the Young Ambassadors.

During the ceremony, the IOA  honorary distinction “Olympia” was awarded to Mrs Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki for her contribution to the excellent organization of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. The “Athena” Honorary Distinction was awarded to the National Olympic Academy of Bahrain with the award being received by the President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

You can find the full speach of Mr. Iakovos Filippousis in the following video: