Head of Delegation Manual - Special Olympics

SOWSG ATHENS 2011 HOD Manual – 2 nd edition
� Route 1 begins from Athens and will cross all of Eastern Greece and the
islands of Sporades, passing through the border station of Kastanies to reach
Constantinople (Istanbul) on the 20 th of June. During the 10 day route on
Greek soil, the Flame of Hope will visit over 40 cities where welcome
ceremonies will be held by local authorities.
In Constantinople (Istanbul), the cultural crossroad between Europe and Asia,
the National Special Olympics Committee of Turkey will prepare a warm
welcome for the Torch Runners, with routes through the most central parts of
Constantinople (Taxim, Istiklal, Galata Bridge, Saint Sophia’s Church, the Blue
Mosque etc) representing an important event for the strengthening of Greek
and Turkish relations.
� Route 2 will cross all of Western Greece as far as the Tristate border, the
Ionian Islands and Peloponnese, passing through Ancient Olympia, the birth
city of the Olympic Games. Route 2 will visit more than 40 cities in 12 days.
� Route 3 team members will depart for Cyprus, an island bound to Greece by
important historic and cultural ties. In Cyprus, the Torch Runners will spend 2
whole days spreading the message of the Games in all the cities of the island
(Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Nicossia) as guests of the National Special
Olympics Committee of Cyprus. The team will then begin its route of the
Greek Islands, via Athens. Over 10 days the Flame will visit more than 30
cities. On the 21 st of June, Route 3 will arrive in Rhodes, the island that from
the 20 th of June will host the largest number of athletes via the Host Town
program. On the 22 nd of June, the Flame will pass in front of all the hotels
accommodating Athletes, destined for the city of Lindos where a Welcome
Ceremony will take place. On the afternoon of the 23 rd of June, the Torch
Runners will pass in front of the most important areas of the city (the Mayor’s
office, the Old City, the Castle of the Knights) ending up at the Ancient
Stadium, where a welcome ceremony will take place in front of all the hosted
Athletes, as well as many Greek and foreign officials visiting Rhodes for this
special event.
On the 24 th of June, the entire Final Leg Team will be reunited back in Athens and will
run in front of all the host centers for Athletes where Welcome Ceremonies will take
place. At 18:30 the Flame will reach the Acropolis where it will remain overnight, in
front of the Erechtheion with the honorary contingent of the Presidential Guard.
On the 25 th of June, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the Torch
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