Bach speaks at the Opening of the session for the last time as President [Photo: IOC /Greg Martin]
IOC Session opens in Olympia
by Philip Barker
Rain fell beneath leaden skies in Ancient Olympia as the 144th International Olympic Committee Session officially opened in a cavalcade of traditional Greek music and dance at the International Olympic Academy (IOA).
It was appropriate that new Hellenic Olympic Committee President Isidoros Kouvelos should be the first to welcome the gathering. For the last 16 years he has been President of the IOA,
“It is with profound emotion and great honour that I welcome you here today in the sacred land of Ancient Olympia. Here in the birthplace of the Olympic Games, history is not merely remembered it is lived,” insisted Kouvelos.
“In ancient Greece, rain symbolised divine favour, renewal and hope, it was seen as a gift from Zeus. As we approach the IOC elections, the rain represents optimism for a united and successful future in global sport, sport can build bridges where others raise barriers.”
Organisers had erected a huge indoor tent on the sports ground of the IOA as an insurance against inclement weather, a precaution which paid off handsomely.
“The success of this IOC session is fully secured,we had a rainy Opening Ceremony in Paris just before a spectacular Olympic Games, we had a rainy inauguration of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the renovation proved to be a resounding success and here were are the rain is back with us, nothing can go wrong any more,” joked IOC President Thomas Bach.
“On rare occasions we experience moments when we feel the stars are aligning.”
“Gathering in Ancient Olympia for the Opening of an IOC Session is such a rare moment.”
“Today we can feel our past, present and future aligning.”
“Pierre de Coubertin once said the Olympic Games are a pilgrimage to the past and an act of faith in the future. This is exactly what this IOC Session is about, a sacred pilgrimage to our ancient past, a homage to our modern origins and our founder and a manifestation of our faith in the future when we will elect a new President,” Bach continued.
“The ancient Olympic Games came to an end when political and commercial interests took over and pushed the values of sport aside. For centuries, the Olympic Games perished into oblivion. It took almost 2,000 years before the Olympic Games could be revived by Pierre de Coubertin. The values of sport were central to his thinking. He wanted to make the world a better place through sport and its values.”
The Session had opened with a performance of the Olympic hymn, sung acapella by soprano Annie Fassea, Eleni Voudouraki Mezzo soprano, tenor Christos Kechris and baritone Yiorgio Ioannou from the Athens Philharmonic conducted by Yiannis Hadjiloizou.
The Greek anthem was sung by baritone Dimitris Tiliakos.
Drummers Manousos Klapakis and Daoulia Kroun had entered the hall to symbolise that “Coubertin’s heart continues to beat, like the sound of drumming.”
It is a reminder that Coubertin’s heart was interred not far from here in 1938 according to his wishes.
It also provided an echo of the Athens 2004 Opening Ceremony when a single drummer in the ancient stadium was seen on the big screen, the rhythm he struck drew a reply from those in the Athens stadium.
“Coubertin’s heart continues to beat, like the sounds of drumming, reminding us that this heart never stopped beating in this place,” explained choreographer Artemis Ignatiou.
Then performers from the ART Dance Theater, each in one of the colours of the Olympic Rings, arrived to portray the Olympic motto.
This had been modified at the suggestion of Bach to “Faster, Higher, Stronger, Together.”
To the music of the score for the film “Conquest of Paradise” by Vangelis, the dancers moved to embody “the four words that represent the values of Olympics but also the qualities an Olympic athlete must have.”
“Faster not to run faster, but faster in thinking and adjusting to the conditions of a competition.”
“Higher not to jump higher, but every time to set higher and higher goals.”
“Stronger in the strength of soul, in order to achieve their goals.”
They formed the Olympic Rings and also to honour the opening of the session, the letters IOC.
The Lykeion ton Ellinidon performed Pentozalis from Crete and a dance from Ikaria in the North Eastern Aegean, which punctuated the Ceremony.
At a time when the IOC is to name a new President, there is also a new head of state in Greece.
President Konstantinos Tasoulas had earlier joined Bach, Kouvelos and Ancient Olympia Mayor Aris Panagiotopoulos to plant a ceremonial olive tree in the garden of the splendid Old Town Hall in Olympia.
“The decision to hold the Opening Ceremony at the IOA carries profound historical cultural significance, it underscores the IOC’s commitment to Olympic values, acknowledging the ongoing role of Olympic education.”
This session was originally to have taken place in 2021. IOC member in Greece Spyros Capralos who welcomed members to an online session that year was able to greet his fellow members in person this time.
“As Greeks we share a profound and unbreakable bond with the Olympic Games, Olympia will leave a mark on your soul just as it has in ours for generations,” said Capralos.
“In a few hours we will select the new leadership of the movement. On this note, I would like to share a thought that might be bold but undeniably ties our future to our past, to always hold the elections for the IOC President here in Olympia.”
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