5th July 2012 Athens, Greece
Ed Roman, Nemead/2nd Secretary Economic
London 2012 has been a major FCO priority this year, for British Embassy Athens especially. For 6th century BC city-state diplomats the Olympics was but one of four ancient Greek sporting contests to organise.
Mythology suggests the Nemean games were founded by Herakles, having completed the first of his labours – wrestling the Nemean Lion. Archaeological evidence traces its existence from the 6th century BC (573 BC, and possibly earlier).
Last Saturday I travelled from Athens to the Peloponnese in order to represent the British Embassy at the 5th Modern Nemean Games. Dormant for over 2000 years, the Nemean Games were revived in 1994 following 20 years of extensive archaeological excavation to uncover the incredible ancient stadium complex. Revived to be as historically authentic as possible and to allow open participation for all, each subsequent modern games has grown in strength and popularity. The 2012 games attracted participants from 108 nations (including over 30 Brits) and were attended by around one thousand supporters. Competitors ranged in age from 4 to 100(!).
As a relative newcomer to the embassy here in Athens, the experience reinforced two early impressions: the unique richness of Greece’s cultural heritage and the resilience of Greek hospitality.
Providing a welcome to strangers in recognition of common humanity was a driving ethos of ancient contests. It remained an overwhelming theme of last weeks’ games. In spite of the economic pressures facing organisations and individuals, organisers took the bold decision to press ahead with the games. The success of the event was entirely dependent on the hard work, energy and generosity of over 130 local volunteers in the preceding months and at the games. On the day, villagers lined the route of the 7.5km “Footsteps of Herakles” race cheering on runners, handing out drinks and a offering a (much welcomed, in 30oC) garden hose dousing.
Entering through the restored tunnel into the ancient stadium, in 6th century BC running kit – bare feet and a sweaty tunic – to complete the race with a lap round the same track that athletes ran on in 573BC, was a genuinely unique experience. It highlighted the strength of Greece’s directly accessible link with the past and the many lessons the ancient world has to offer contemporary societies.
For the new Greek government, realising the full potential of this historical legacy – and Greece’s wider tourist credentials – will be an important strand in delivering the growth the Greek economy desperately needs. The UK is working to support Greece’s efforts to capitalise on its strengths through the renewal and promotion of its tourist industry. We offer UK expertise through the European Commission’s Greece Task Force which is helping to promote structural reform and improve the business environment. And our commercial team work with many British businesses to facilitate UK investment in Greece’s tourist infrastructure and the creation of badly-needed new jobs.
The Acropolis and Delphi are international icons, but Greece’s huge diversity of lesser-known ancient sites and stunning countryside hold a wealth of potential for visitors and local economies alike. I encourage British readers to discover them, and Greek readers to promote them.
I visited the Nemean Games as I wanted to make a video for my web site and, like Ed Roman, was completely swept up in the magic of the event. I also agree that the new Greek government should look towards promoting this country’s wealth of ancient sites (many of which are fairly unknown to the average visitor) and to funding and advancing events like this.