We have a lot to do. We have done a lot, we still have a lot more to do, be it for OAKA’s sports facilities, for our coaching, for school sports, for dealing with violence, for how we will encourage young children to play more sports, pointed out on Thursday the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his greeting at the cutting of the Sports New Year’s pie, at the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports.

As Mr. Mitsotakis pointed out, “2004 was the year that raised Greece high: with the perfect organization of the Olympic Games, an organization in which many had discounted, as recalled by Gianna Angelopoulou, present at the event – that our country will not could finally succeed “and of course with the unique triumph of the Greek National Team, which offered us – whether we are Greek athletes or simple sports fans – unique joys and truly unforgettable moments”.

“I think it is very important, and through the initiative of the Bank of Greece, to honor these moments and learn from what we really did well 20 years ago” noted the Prime Minister.

“Sport unites. Sport is not divisive. And this government will continue to serve this mission of promoting sports as a whole in the country. With deeds and not with words” emphasized Mr. Mitsotakis, wishing a good year and good success to the athletes.

The Prime Minister’s greeting in detail

“Greeting of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the cutting of the Sports New Year’s pie, at the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports

Your Excellency, colleagues in the government and in the Parliament, Mr. District Governor, Mr. Governor, Mrs. Angelopoulou, dear Olympians, dear athletes,

Good morning, happy new year, welcome to your home, the Ministry of Sports. Good strength ahead of the Olympic year, which started a few days ago, and many congratulations to the Minister of Sports for his initiative to bring together the whole sports family, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a year that I believe is etched in collective but also in our individual subconscious and in our memory.

2004 was the year that raised Greece high: with the perfect organization of the Olympic Games, an organization in which many had discounted, Ms. Angelopoulou – as you reminded us – that our country would not be able to succeed in the end and of course with its unique triumph of the Greek National Team, which offered us – whether we are Greek athletes or simple sports fans – unique joys and truly unforgettable moments.

I think it is very important, and through the initiative of the Bank of Greece, to honor these moments and learn from what we really did well 20 years ago. Whether it is the triumph of a team that put the team above the individual and surprised everyone with its discipline and passion, or we are talking about the extremely complex organization of the Olympic Games that demanded from all of us, from the state, but and from civil society, to see things differently and to put the collective goal above individual ambitions again.

And yes, it is worth sometimes, when we face challenges of a different kind today, to remember what was that spirit of collectiveness, organization, volunteerism, which was “born” through the Olympic Games of 2004. And to look for that invisible thread which it unites the challenges of another era with the difficulties we face today. And I think we will draw many positive conclusions from what we achieved in 2004. Conclusions which are also useful today.

And of course 2024, as an Olympic Games year, is an opportunity to unfold our overall plan for sports as a government. I will not say much about them, the Minister of Sports mentioned in much more detail in our initiatives for the next year.

However, I will mention the separate semiotics of the transfer of the Ministry of Sports to the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. And this connection between education and sports, in which I believe so much, is now confirmed through this institutional redistribution and of course the upgrading of the portfolio of the Deputy Minister of Sports to Deputy Minister. I believe that this in itself sends a distinct message about the priority that the Greek Government and I personally attach to the importance of sports.

We have a lot to do. We’ve done a lot, we still have a lot more to do, whether it’s for OAKA’s sports facilities, for our coaching, for school sports, for dealing with violence, for how we’re going to encourage young kids to do more sports. How do we get them away from other challenges, how do we deal with childhood obesity, addiction to electronic devices. Sport provides an answer to all these deep social problems, which not only Greece faces, the whole world faces.

And of course, the model of the athletes who lifted an entire country on their backs has a special significance. You are, one and all, a source of inspiration, especially for the new guys who will follow in your footsteps.

Because those of us who love sports and play amateur sports know how much effort it takes to get to the point of achieving promotion and distinction. Toil, pain, failures, disappointments, support. We are talking about our athletes, we are talking about our Paralympic athletes. All those behind you, your coaches, your physical therapists, all those who allow you to compete at the level you can and do.

To all of them, therefore, a special, big “thank you”, along with my wishes that 2024 will be a year of great success at the Olympic Games that will be held in Paris. With my best wishes, the National Football Team succeeds in being where it deserves to be, in the stadiums of Germany, at Euro 2024.

So, let me close by wishing each and every one first and above all health. Health for the athlete is a necessary condition. Physical and mental health, not only being strong in body, being strong in mind. And of course, success in our sport as a whole.

This image of the sports family united is very nice. Sport unites. Sport is not divisive. And this government will continue to serve this mission of promoting sports as a whole in the country. With deeds and not words.
Happy New Year and good luck to our athletes.”