THESSALONIKI – On September 26, Thessaloniki was at the center of the Olympic and tourism world map with the Olympic Day Run Greece. The only Olympic Road Running Race in the country was organized for the fourth year under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee to celebrate the International Olympic Day, spreading a message of global solidarity, unity and hope.

The entire Olympic family was at the event’s starting line

Olympians, Paralympians, distinguished athletes and coaches, sports clubs and associations from all over the country, as well as active citizens, gathered at the starting line for the supreme Olympic road running event of the country, In the utmost COVID-safe Olympic event, people of all ages ran honoring the Olympic spirit and fair play. The Olympic Day Run Greece joined forces with The Smile of the Child to bring more smiles to children who need it. With every registration in the social contribution packages of the 10, 5, or 2 km races, participants contributed 3 euros to the Organization’s continuous effort so that all children can have everything they deserve and are entitled to.

Olympians posed for a commemorative photo at the Olympic Day Run Greece in Thessaloniki. Photo: Olympic Day Run Greece

The 4th Olympic Day Run Greece, bearing the hallmark of the Olympic cycles, was held with a health and safety protocol approved by the Health Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports and the responsible health bodies. There was a mass-participation of runners with utmost safety in the 10km, 5km and the 2km road running race of social contribution and dynamic walking, with a starting and finishing point on Alexander the Great Avenue (at the height of the 'Umbrellas' sculpture). All finishers received a commemorative medal and a commemorative certificate of participation by the International Olympic Committee, while the winners received special prizes from the 4th Olympic Day Run Greece.

The races’ start was signaled by Thessaloniki Mayor and Chairman of the Olympic Day Run Greece Organizing Committee Konstantinos Zervas, while greetings were delivered by President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Kapralos, Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Stelios Angeloudis, President of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) Sofia Sakorafa, President of EAS SEGAS Thessaloniki Anastasios Tomboulis, President of the Hellenic Olympians Association Voula Kozompoli, and the General Director of the Olympic Day Run Greece, Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Academy and Director of the Olympic Museum Dr. Kyriaki Oudatzi.

Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Academy and Director of the Olympic Museum Dr. Kyriaki Oudatzi, Thessaloniki Mayor and Chairman of the Olympic Day Run Greece Organizing Committee Konstantinos Zervas, and Olympic gold medalist Pyrros Dimas. Photo: Olympic Day Run Greece

Olympians Shined at the 4th Olympic Day Run

At the certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) Olympic Day Run Greece, the Olympic gold medalists Pyrros Dimas (3 gold and 1 bronze medal), Voula Patoulidou, Athanasia Tsoumeleka, Olympic silver medalists Voula Kozompoli (President of the Hellenic Olympians Association), Evangelia Moraitidou (President of the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association), Katerina Thanou, Pigi Devetzi, Niki Bakogianni, Tasoula Kelesidou, Elli Mystakidou, and Dimitris Mougios, Olympic bronze medalists Maria Georgatou, Ioanna Chatziioannou, and Artiom Kiouregkian, Olympians Fotini Vavatsi, Poly Saregou, Popi Ouzouni, Vasiliki Kasapi, Ioanna Bouziou, Maria Polyzou (Marathon runner), Olga Vasdeki, Despina Theodoridou, Afroditi Skafida, and Christos Volikakis as well as distinguished athletes such as Angelos Charisteas (Vice President for Digital Policy at Region of Central Macedonia), Angelos Basinas, Stefanos Tzivopoulos and Irini Mandraveli were all present.

The 4th Olympic Day Run GREECE was organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Olympic Museum, the Hellenic Olympians Association, SEGAS and EAS SEGAS Thessaloniki and DKO OLYMPiA  with the participation of Olympians, Paralympians, Distinguished Athletes, Sports Clubs and Institutional Bodies from all over the country, with the support of the Hellenic Olympic Academy, the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, the Greek Paralympians Association, the Region of Central Macedonia and Thessaloniki International Fair-HELEXPO. The event was held under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Interior of the Macedonia-Thrace Sector, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the Municipalities of Ampelokipi-Menemeni, Thermi, Kalamaria, Kordelio-Evosmos, Neapoli-Sykies, Pavlos Melas, Pylaia-Chortiatis, Volvi, Delta, Thermaikos, Lagadas, Chalkidona, Oreokastro, Almopia, Aristotelis, Dion-Olympos, Emmanuel Pappas, Iraklia, Kavala, Kassandra, Kilkis, Naoussa, Polygyros, Serres and Skydra.

Olympians Olga Vasdeki, Elli Mystakidou, and Evangelia Moraitidou at the Olympic Day Run Greece in Thessaloniki. Photo: Olympic Day Run Greece

More information is available online: http://olympicdayrun.gr/ and http://olympicmuseum-thessaloniki.org/. 

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