Anno  Domini 2004 .  .  .  “Timeo Danaos et follis ferentes." (paraphrased from Virgil) <<  Φοβούμαι Δαναούς καί μπάλλα φέροντας. > > "I fear Greeks bearing a soccer ball."

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THE
ATHENS  OLYMPICS
2004

The elegant  Panathenaikon Stadium in Athens
 is also called Kallimarmaron or of  beautiful
 marble.  The entire old structure is donned
 in  marble.  It is the site of the Marathon
 finish and thus the eminent location where
Olympic competition ends.

Favored by shade from the afternoon sun, the southwest wing of the horseshoe-shaped stadium is first to be filled by the public.  It is also the side of the glorious entry of the runners.  At that moment the sudden roar of the awaiting crowd is bellowed with singular dramatic force.  There is no doubt that the occasion incites the authentic and very ancient Olympic spirit that rises to its fullest -- replete with unbiased emotion, recognition, and admiration for the athletes.

This time, however, it is the noble Greek population by a great majority that has filled the seats.   The well orchestrated media propaganda machine and the interests behind it have for this reason suffered irreparable embarrassment [how is it that so-called expert reports were so well informed about what was not ready and never about what was ready and in excellent form?].  To save face, apologies are tendered for all the negativism promulgated for so many months leading up to the event.  Of course, no other recourse existed, since the Athens 2004 Olympiad proved to be a beautiful, resounding, and very secure performance.  The courage, persistence, and  proudful  accomplishment of the generous and most hospitable Greek people must be and is acknowledged by a fair and judicious world.  The shallow apologies are at this point of small or no consequence.  The victors are the eternal Greek people whose small population once more has achieved the highest of ideals in keeping with their inimitable heritage, and of which they remain the true guardians.

There is, however, a practical aspect to this issue.  The Greek nation has gone into serious debt in their attempt to please the world and to defend those human qualities that are the last resort in the maintenance of civilization.  The Greek people -- peculiarities in their approach to modernization notwithstanding -- are in the end the staunch and natural keepers of values that need to be preserved and defended for the sake of maintaining human worthiness.  Yes, Greek idealism is still a factor today.

In direct reference to the issue of practicality, it must be made clear that  the world should support the Greek nation in this time of need.  The world must not give away something that it can never  recover again.  One proposal is: Every four years, after the Olympics are completed in other countries and Medals have been awarded; the winning athletes should go to Greece to be anointed by the Greek people [the only ones who can do it] as Olympic Winners and having a Gilded Wreath of Olive Branches placed upon their head.  A special ceremony of great honor to be conducted and attended by prominent personalities and many other visitors in a festive and prestigious manner.  The expenses for the athletes to be born by their sponsors and the ceremonies to be financed by such various sponsors who may be allotted a share of the profits with the Greek nation.  This will assist the latter to recover from its heavy economic burden sustained in the 2004 Olympics and thereafter, and will generate a constant and dependable flow of tourism for Greece.  Such activity will also give cause to utilize the marvelous installations as the Olympic Stadium and other major facilities constructed for the 2004 event.

The gilded wreaths suggested above are also rendered in full bronze and copper by the distinguished artist, Angelos Panayiotidis.  Samples of the artist's exquisite work are shown below.  A proliferation of his creations, following the completion of the Marathon, was exhibited at the prestigious Titanium Yiayiannos Gallery next to the Stadium.  A  large number of people attended and also heard speeches by several prominent authors.

[Courtesy listing by permission of the Titanium Yiayiannos Gallery
for those interested in obtaining such unique and beautiful items.]
Titanium Yiayiannos Gallery
44, Vos. Konstantinou Street
Athens 116 35, Greece
Tel.: +30 210 72 97 644, Fax: +30 210 72 51 063
yiayiannos.gallery@hellasnet.gr
www.titaniumartgallery.com

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IS  IT  ALL  IN  A  WORD?

The ancient Greeks referred to Olympic competition as an agon.  The word means a struggle, an effort, and even anxiety to achieve.  It is based on the verb agein that means to lead or to go.  As a consequence of coming together to compete, the word agon also means a gathering.  The significant message in the word was that the Olympics were a solemn event viewed as serious competition toward excellence.  The term also applied to contests in literature, poetry, drama, music, and painting.

The modern reference to athletic events as games relegates the effort to a lesser degree of importance or to frivolity.  Although still competitive, the activity becomes de-solemnized and thus an issue of who appears better than the next person, rather than how well has one performed compared to another.  In other words, victory is measured by who is first and not by the quality of one's effort.

In such games, the difference between excellence for its own sake and the desire to be admired becomes vague and unimportant.  It is only a short step from there to the pursuit of methods to render one an ostensible victor.  What then comes into play is the employment of mechanisms and shortcuts that are conducive to victory but devoid of personal effort of pure worth.  The present day resort to such mechanisms is the employment of chemicals and drugs rather than only the application of the conventional intensive training, wholesome nutrition, and hygiene.

Are sports today moving in that direction?
What then will be the essence of . . . athletic Olympic competition?

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IMPORTANT: At the 2004 Kallimarmaron Stadium, in true Olympic spirit, our Brazilian Marathoner received as tumultuous
                        a voice and an applause as did our Italian victor.  All victors and runners received fervent recognition.

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