The first official meeting of the National Olympic Academy (NAO) took place at the offices of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, in the presence of the new President of NAO, gold medalist Demosthenes Tabakos and the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), Isidoros Kouvelos.
Ο Demosthenes Tabakos welcomed the members and partners of the Academy, expressing his thanks for their contribution so far and underlined the importance of unity and cooperation. «We are receiving a huge project, with many actions and programmes. We are called upon to respond, to continue the course of the Academy and to develop it. We want, through sport, to expand into other areas of major importance in our time,» he said. He particularly stressed the importance of a common vision: «It is crucial that we all have a common goal, common understanding and empathy. The primary objective of ETHNOA is to walk together in the same direction, spreading the Olympic values.».
The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos, agreed with Demosthenes Tabakos and focused on the concept of excellence. «Excellence means to be excellent in athletics and excellent in conduct, as Aristotle said. Demosthenes Tabakos has conquered excellence, has glorified our country and is a model of conduct. It is great that such an athlete and such a man is at the helm of ETHNOA».
He concluded by assuring the members of the Academy of the support of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. «The HOC will be on the side of ETHNOA. Olympic education and Olympic values are everything for us and we want to contribute substantially to the growth and development of the Academy».
The meeting was also attended by the member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and member of ETHNOA, Olympic champion Costas Thanos, while the President of the International Olympic Academy, the President of the International Olympic Academy Harry Tsolakis.
