Representatives of national committees for the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures on Friday cited the 2012 Olympic Games in London as the best occasion for Britain and the British Museum to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

They were speaking during a press conference given by 17 members of committees representing 15 countries, who are currently in Athens for the inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum on Saturday.

The chairman of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures David Hill also announced the start of efforts to establish a Parthenon Day every year in mid-June and the launch of a major campaign for their return based on the slogan Why not?

Apart from the above, the movement intends to conduct opinion polls and collect signatures in favour of the sculptures return.

Hill was also dismissive about an offer from the British Museum to loan the sculptures to Greece for three months:

The Marbles are like our children; it is though they were kidnapped and returned for three months, he said.

The members of the national committee for the return of the Parthenon sculptures that are in Athens for the inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum represent the committees of Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Italy, the United States, Serbia, Spain and Sweden.