The President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine An. Tassoulas, attended the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony for the XXV Winter Olympic Games “Milano – Cortina 2026” at the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Olympia.
Immediately after the ceremony Mr. Tassoulas made the following statement:
“Today, our homeland, Greece, is once again connected with the global Olympic family. And a message leaves from here, from ancient Olympia, from the Sacred Grove, to the whole world. A message of peace, unity, creativity and progress.
The lighting of the Olympic Flame is a fascinating process, it takes us back thousands of years, but it also unites us with our future.
Because the Flame of Olympia, which leaves today from here to go to the 25th Winter Olympic Games “Milano – Cortina 2026″, will follow a route in which will show all the values of Olympism. All the values of Olympism will be illuminated by this Flame that departs from here today.
The value of unity, the value of cooperation among peoples, the value of peace and the cessation of hostilities. And these values are needed more than ever today, when the international environment is not only fluid but it is also at war. Our country, once again, leads the way and highlights the Olympic spirit.
And this is recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which symbolizes with its presence here in Ancient Olympia the great importance it attaches to it. Peace, unity and human creativity begin here to be heard once again throughout the world. ”
Meeting with the President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry
The President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine An. Tassoulas, in the framework of his visit to Ancient Olympia, met with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry, who informed him about the preparations for the 25th Winter Olympic Games, which will be held in northern Italy in February 2026.
Mr. Tassoulas thanked Ms. Coventry for the briefing and expressed his hope that the hosting of the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina would honor the Olympic ideal and the spirit of “fair play.” Mr. Tassoulas also asked the new IOC President to support the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia, which is internationally renowned for its high-level educational and research work.
At the meeting participated the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Isidoros Kouvelos and the member of the International Olympic Committee in Greece Spyros Kapralos.
