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Address
by Mme Youla Pipilis (GRE)
on behalf of the participants
President Serpieris, Dean Georgiadis, Members of the Ephoria of the IOA, Lecturers,
fellow Coordinators, dear friends,
I feel honoured today, for not only was I invited to participate in the proceedings
of this Session, but I have also been asked to make one of the two addresses,
on behalf of the Coordinators.
Every year, the group of coordinators faces a great challenge. The challenge of
organizing the sport, cultural and art events, but most importantly, the challenge
of helping the people in our groups, all of you, to express your views, to learn
about Olympism, to want to become a part of the Movement.
Our reward, is seeing smiling faces around us after the events, hearing a silent,
shy member of our group suddenly sit up and give us a heartfelt opinion, feeling
that we have made a difference. We can only hope that we have succeeded.
We are fortunate in that this year marks the Centennial of the Modern Olympic
Movement. We have been able to discuss the past and the changes that have taken
place to the present. What we must realize however is that we are all part of
the future. The Olympic Movement will survive and progress through the actions
of the people who believe it is a worthwhile cause. We are some of those people,
and it is up to each of us to live our lives in accordance with the ideals of Olympism.
It is up to each of us to educate those around us, to spread the word.
Before I go on please allow me, on behalf of the coordinators, to express our
heartfelt gratitude to a man who has tirelessly dedicated his life to the Olympic
Movement and especially to the International Olympic Academy. A man who has
helped all of us who have had the honour to work with him, not only to disseminate
the true meaning of Olympism, but to become better human being in the
process. This man is Dr John Powell. Dr Powell we thank you.
We would like to thank the International Olympic Academy, President Serpieris
and Dean Georgiadis, for allowing us the privilege of being here. We would
like to thank the lecturers for presenting us with valuable information. We would
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