Minister for Europe, David Lidington, visited Athens this week for official discussions. As everybody knows Greece has been going through very difficult times. Britain wants to see the Eurozone strong and successful, and so it is important that we work closely to understand the developments in Greece and support Greece’s efforts wherever we can. However, it was also good that the Minister was able to take time to make an important link with something which rightly generates great pride in Greeks – the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games are steeped in history and symbolism, based on their origins in Ancient Greece. This week the London 2012 organisers announced details of the Olympic Torch Relay in the UK. Of course, the Torch will start its journey here in Greece, at Ancient Olympia, where the Olympic Flame will be lit on 10 May, in a traditional ceremony which uses sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, among the atmospheric ruins of the home of the ancient Games. Fortunately, this being Greece, you are almost certainly guaranteed sun!
Once lit, Greeks will then take the Olympic Torch on their own relay across the mainland and the many beautiful islands familiar to UK visitors. Though a Greek relay, there will be a UK flavour to this too, with both the second Torchbearer on the first day and penultimate Torchbearer on the last day chosen by London 2012. The names have not yet been released and will be a surprise to us too, but we’re told they will be “inspirational people” from the UK.
Symbolically the Olympic Flame will then arrive at the site of the first Modern Olympics in 1896, the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens on 17 May. During an evening ceremony the Olympic Flame will the be handed for safe-keeping to a representative of London 2012, ready for its onward journey to the UK. I’m told that the flame has a special ceremonial lantern to travel in, and even has its own seat on the BA2012 flight that will carry it to an excited UK public.
The Minister for Europe was able to visit the impressive marble stadium in Athens and hear firsthand about the Handover ceremony from the Deputy Mayor of Athens, Eva Kontostathakou, and Denise Panagopoulou, of the Hellenic Olympic Committee. His hosts even took him to the space on the museum wall, which is ready and waiting for one of the London 2012 torches. The Minister’s visit took him through the tunnel where the first Modern Olympians (and ancient athletes) no doubt nervously gathered before competing on the stadium track. Impressively the Stadium still allows early morning joggers to run around the track, and I’m hoping to persuade a British team out on the track to limber up for Sport Relief’s ‘Run a Mile’ in March. The 70,000 stadium will be an impressive and emotive venue for the Torch Handover and we’re hoping that there will be may British people and those with an strong tie to the UK amongst the spectators for the ceremony.
Check out the photos of the Minister’s visit on UK in Greece Flickr Album.