ΕΝΩΣΗ ΣΥΜΜΕΤΑΣΧΟΝΤΩΝ ΣΕ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟΥΣ ΑΓΩΝΕΣ
HELLENIC OLYMPIANS ASSOCIATION

THE FOURTH OLYMPIANS RE-UNION CENTRE
WHERE THE OLYMPIANS GATHER AGAIN

During the XXVIII Olympic Games, in August 2004, in Athens , the VISA Olympians Re-union Centre for receiving and gathering the Olympians from all over the world was a unique success.

The above Olympians Re-union Centre was created in Atlanta in 1996 and was organized again in 2002, during the Winter Olympic Games of Salt Lake City (USA); it was established in Athens, in the marvelous premises of Athens Tennis Club, opposite the Zappeion, in the centre of Athens , in the middle of a wonderful park.

The whole preparation and organization was an absolute success, as the World Olympians Association, the sponsoring VISA and the Hellenic Olympians Association worked together in a perfect way.

During the time the Centre functioned, about 1.000 Olympians from all over the world were accommodated in it, as well as about 3.000 friends and relatives who were also invited to come and stay in the Centre.

All the guests were accredited or given an entrance card while every Olympian was presented with a wonderful Swatch watch.

The Centre was open from 2 p.m. to 2 o’clock in the morning and, thanks to the generosity of the VISA card, a rich and a bar with refreshments, beer and ice cream buffet were always available. During the time the Centre worked, it also welcomed the members of Tennis Club who were able to meet and practice, but also had the chance to meet famous Olympians from Greece and other countries.

At four parts of the Centre, four big television screens allowed the guests watch the Games, select and enjoy 9 satellite programs.

The great success of the Centre is mainly due to the contribution of about 40 Greek volunteers who were designated by the HΟΑ (Hellenic Olympians Association): members of the Board, simple members, former Olympic winners and a few sports fans. The volunteers welcomed the guests, showed them round and offered them a warm hospitality.

In the Olympians Re-Union Centre, the Olympians painting exhibition that was first hosted last spring at the premises of the “Evgenidion” Foundation, was continued. The exhibition, with various paintings made by Olympians from all over the world, made a great impression and opened new paths for the talented Olympians.

By the end of the period the Centre worked, an interesting auction of paintings was held: several artists had offered their paintings to the Hellenic Olympians Association and those paintings were sold. The money raised was given to the HΟΑ, to encourage the Olympic Movement.

Another important new activity during the time the Olympians Re-Union Centre worked, was the presentation of the book "THE ANCIENT STADIUMS", a co-publication of the ΙΤΑΝΟSPublishing House and the Hellenic Olympians Association. It is a book that, after a long, scientific research, identifies about 50 Ancient Stadiums within today’s Greece, along with the 150 ones that existed where the Hellenism existed: round the Mediterranean Sea, at the area of the Dardanelles, the Black Sea, at the Adriatic, the African coasts et c. This book has already been translated in English and is a unique document about the links among the Hellenism, the Olympism and the spirit of sports.

During the time the Olympians Re-Union Centre functioned, several events were organized by Federations or other organizations. We should mention here the Opening Ceremony where the Presidents Jacques Rogge (IOC), Paul Schmidt (WOA), Giorgos Andreadis (Hellenic Olympians Association) were present, the Greek evening, where the Minister Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos addressed the public, the Peiging (Host City of the 2008 O.G.) evening, with vibrant Chinese features and other events.