The City of Athens Officially Takes Over the Organisation of the 43rd International Children's Games in 2009

On Friday 17 October at 10:30 am in the ceremony hall at the Athens City Hall, the City of Athens signed an agreement to host the 43rd International Children's Games in 2009. The agreement was signed by Mayor of Athens Nikitas Kaklamanis and Torsten Rasch, President of the International Children's Games (ICG) Committee.

Present at the event were the Vice President of the ICG Johnny Kirakopoulos; Secretary General Richard Smith; President of the Organisation of Youth and Athletics (ONA) Vasilis Kikilias; and CEO of the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo) Panagiotis Arkoumaneas.

During the event, the Mayor of Athens Nikitas Kaklamanis, having welcomed the Board of the International Children's Games Committee, said:

"Today is a very important day for the city of Athens. With us we have the board of the Committee for the International Children's Games - the President, Vice President and the General Secretary - so that we can sign the agreement for the city of Athens to take on the International Children's Games in June 2009.

Athens is a city which has shown that it can hold large and important sporting events, with world-class athletes: the Olympic Games, the Final Four, the Champions League. And now we are hosting the International Children's Games, in which the athletes and world champions of tomorrow will take part.

I am very happy that it fell on me to sign something which has been prepared by my predecessors, and to carry this out with the cooperation of the President of the ONA V. Kikilias, and CEO of the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company P. Arkoumaneas.

Because, in addition to the athletic event, which is the main purpose of the Games, the fact that 2000 people, athletes, children and chaperones, will visit our city in June 2009 is very important for the economic and tourism aspects of the city of Athens.

I would like to stress that special games for children with disabilities will also take place as part of these Games. This means that all children will be able to take part, which is especially important."

Addressing the Board of the Committee for the International Children's Games, the Mayor of Athens said:

"Dear friends, welcome to Athens, the city of Democracy, of Philosophy, and of Culture. You can be sure that in June 2009 we will be absolutely ready to hold the Games successfully in Athens."

On his part, the President of the International Children's Games Committee, Torsten Rasch, stated:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to tell you that we are especially happy to be in the city of Athens. For us, the International Children's Games, in which children from 12 to 15 from all over the world can take part, are an important part of culture.

We eagerly expect the Games in Athens next year to be a success. It is a great step for our community and for the history of the Games. With the "Together" events, children with disabilities will be participating in the Games for the first time.

We feel proud and happy that the Games will be hosted by Athens.

I hope that, during the Games, we will put a smile on the faces of children from all around the world. Because it will be a fantastic experience for them.

We genuinely love Athens, this modern city of Culture, a city which represents and upholds the principles of the Olympic Ideal. And we too are part of this Olympic Ideal.

 We thank you for your hospitality. We will be here to support you so that the Games can take place with great success."

The Athens ICGs 2009 are being organised by the City of Athens and will take place in sports facilities belonging to the ONA between 23 and 28 June 2009, with 2,000 athletes and chaperones expected from 100 cities around the world.

The Games include athletics, swimming, basketball, football, tennis, volleyball and apparatus gymnastics. For the first time in the 40-year history of the International Children's Games, pilot events will be held for children with disabilities ("Together" events), an original idea which is an important step for integrating and incorporating children with special needs, and for them to compete together with the other athletes and make new friends.

During the Games there will also be cultural and social events, so that the athletes and visitors to Athens can come into contact with Greek culture and history, as well as the contemporary side of the city. The whole venture will be supported by a powerful, energetic and enthusiastic network of volunteers and active citizens of Athens.

The International Children's Games take part under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, and are held for athletes of both sexes between the ages of 12 and 15. The aim of the ICGs is to put a stop to discriminations between peoples, but also to develop and promote the Olympic Idea, healthy competition, joy and the value of taking part, and the concept of fair play to all the children of Earth.

For more information visit www.athensicg2009.gr

Katerina Papadopoulou

Tel. 210 32 53 123

Email. kpapadopoulou@atedco.gr