The Hellenic-French Olympic and Paralympic Week, a co-organization of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the National Olympic Academy, the Embassy of France in Greece, the French Institute of Greece and the Hellenic Paralympic Committee, took place for the sixth consecutive year with great success.
Entitled «The spirit of Olympism, a breath of peace», inspired by the theme of peace, the educational programme aimed to highlight the importance of sport as a vector of peace, friendship and solidarity between peoples.
From 2 to 6 February, more than 13,000 students from all over Greece had the opportunity to meet and talk to Olympic and Paralympic medallists and distinguished athletes, both Greek and French, as well as to learn about the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, respect, equality and inclusion.
The National Olympic Academy of Greece was represented by its President and two-time Olympic gymnastics champion, Demosthenes Tabakos, and the French Institute of Greece by its director, Maria Wadjinny. The coordination and implementation of the programme was undertaken by : the Coordinator of the Educational Programmes of ETHNOA, Olivia Dontis, the Greek-French distinguished athlete of artistic swimming Iphinoi Davveta for the Greek side, and Marie-José LE DUC, Cooperation Attaché for French and Sports Officer of the Embassy of France in Greece, and Ysabelle MABIRE, Assistant in the Department of Educational Cooperation at the French Institute in Greece, for the French side. The President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee George Kapellakis and the Head of Educational Programmes of the EPE Vassilis Kalyvas were also present at the activities.
The French Olympic diving champion Alexis Jandard, the French Olympic fencing gold medalist Maxime Pauty, the Paralympic athletics champion Tania Keramimida, the Olympic water polo champion Konstantinos Flegkas, the Paralympic athletics champion Stelios Malakopoulos participated in the week of meetings, Olympic judo bronze medallist Automne Pavia, Paralympic athletics gold medallist Nassos Gavelas, Olympic gymnastics bronze medallist Isabelle Severino, Olympic rhythmic gymnastics bronze medallist Maria Georgatou and Paralympic swimming gold medallist David Smetanine.
The President of ETHNOA and two-time Olympic champion Demosthenes Tabakos warmly thanked all the Olympians and distinguished athletes for their participation, stating:
«I feel grateful for all the athletes who participated, for those who worked with the program, and for the students and teachers. Through this activity we shared moments of friendship, inspiration and knowledge. We learned from each other. Let us remember that sport is not just a race or a victory, but a way of life that teaches us to work together, respect others and constantly strive for the best.».
