In a particularly modest event in the welcoming Gold Class hall of the Village Cinemas at The Mall Athens, the international organization No Finish Line International and Together for the Children, which since 2017 have partnered to organize the largest charity event in Greece, presented this year’s goals and objectives, as well as the ambassadors of the 8th No Finish Line Athens which will be held from May 15 to 19 at the Agora of OAKA.
At the event where we had distinguished guests such as the Deputy Minister of Sports and Education Mr. Ioannis Vroutsis who represented the Greek government and the Managing Director and Secretary General of No Finish Line International Mr. Yiannis Nikolaou who represented the international charity organization of Monaco, the two presidents and hosts of the event, Alexandra Martinou of Together for the Children and Sofia Kede of No Finish Line Athens, announced this year’s participation record with 10,000 registrations and the big goal of 100,000 kilometers which will be converted into several thousand euros to implement this year’s support program families with children who have a health problem or are disabled.
At the same time, however, the presentation of this year’s first ambassadors of the event took place, who are two distinct personalities of Greek sports, Giorgos Karagounis, captain of the national football team for a number of years and record holder of participations, is the new name added to the list, where Kostas Sloukas started captain of the Panathinaikos basketball team and for a number of years a key member of the national team.
However, the presence of the three deputy regional governors of Attica who are known for their sensitivity and support in social actions and especially in No Finish Line, the deputy regional governor of the northern sector, Mrs. Loukia Kefalogianni, the deputy regional governor of education, innovation, social policy, Mr. Errika Prezerakou, was also special. and the vice-regional governor of sports and Olympic ideal Mrs. Vassiliki Millousi, who honored NFL Athens with their presence, while the “present” was also given as co-organizer by the general director-coordinator of OAKA Mr. Konstantinos Halioris who makes sure every year to be a welcoming host.
The President of “Together for the Child”, Mrs. Alexandra Martinou, underlined, among other things:
“NFL Athens is one of the only sporting events that the world runs, and sports to help others. It’s a fight that never ends. NFL Athens has given us a lot of money over the past 7 years and every year the money goes to a different cause. Together for the Child has been operating for 28 years and has a purpose to help children in need. Last year the money was allocated for single parent families, this year the money collected from the event will be given to families who have a child who has a serious health problem or a disability. We must ensure that all children have equal opportunities in life to fulfill their dreams.”
The president of NFL Athens, Mrs. Sofia Kede, commented on the emotional response of the people, as well as schools and companies, which this year led to a large increase in participation. As he characteristically stated:
“In 2017 when we started we thought something would come out, now in our 8th year everyone is telling us don’t stop, congratulations and keep it up! We have passed a beautiful message: children walk for children. The goal for this year is to exceed 100,000 kilometers! However, it is very important that the participation of schools has doubled, as well as the rapid increase of companies compared to last year. Last year we had 8,000 entries but it was really touching the support of the people this year. The organizing committee had set the goal of 9,000 entries and finally they were covered very quickly before the end of the registration deadline, with the result that we did the impossible and increased the entries reaching 9,980 with some extra places for the parallel matches as well. A big thank you from the heart to those who have embraced the event”.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Ioannis Vroutsis, emphasized:
“Congratulations on your initiative to hold No Finish Line Athens. This year marks 20 years since the Olympic Games and also since the iconic team of legends took the Euro in football and lifted Greece on their shoulders. A big thank you in my institutional capacity for your offer. We conquered a dream. Value symbolism. The spirit of Olympism. The word sport is from the word athlos. We should be proud of what we stand for.”
The former international soccer player and member of the Legends team that won the Euro 2004, George Karagounis gave his own message for the creation of new sports venues so that more children would come to sports:
“I am very happy to be an ambassador for such an important race. There are many messages that such a match can give. We help our fellow man and especially the children. All of us as the most recognizable should be examples for them, inspire them and push them towards sports. We need to motivate the children with more sports facilities.”
The deputy governor of education, innovation, social policy, Ms. Errika Prezerakou added:
“I have been working here for 15 years with children and it is very important for me to have taken on this role in the district. I’m very happy that this match is moving with awareness, as this is what I’ve been trying to teach the children all these years.”
While for her part, the deputy regional governor for sports and the Olympic ideal, Ms. Vasiliki Millousi, added:
“Since becoming a mom I am even more aware of sports for children. Through your own idea that became a reality, I consider it very important that we enable children to run to offer. Sport is a hug. You run not to get a medal and that’s where we have to stop.”
The deputy regional governor of the northern sector, Mr. Loukia Kefalogianni, had a dual role in this year’s NFL Athens, who every year stands next to the organization, while this year she also helped in the rapid increase in school participation and said:
“I am very happy that many children will come to run. All of us in the northern sector are waiting with joy and anticipation for the 8th No Finish Line Athens to begin, which has a strong philanthropic footprint. I want to wish that this year we will break all the records and record kilometers that will become help for the children”.
The Marketing Director of National Insurance, Mrs. Chrysoula Athanassopoulou, noted:
“It is our great pleasure that for the 8th year we are part of this race that gives a clear message of solidarity and contribution. All this effort is connected to the values ​​of Ethniki Asfalistika that our goal is always the person first. This race promotes inclusivity as people of all ages and fitness levels can participate.
This year, 300 working people and their families are participating. We promise to continue to be by your side for even greater records.”
While the Head of Corporate Responsibility Department Lidl Greece, Mrs. Maria Roukoudi concluded:
“As a company, Lidl Hellas has supported the event since its first years in Greece, initially by providing products as a supporter and then with sponsorship support. This year we will support the main game of NFL Athens as well as two parallel games on Wednesday, May 15, the Family Run and on Sunday, May 19, the Women’s Race. We share the values ​​regarding children’s rights and their support. Rendezvous at OAKA to break the mileage records”!
Finally, the general director-coordinator of OAKA, Mr. Konstantinos Halioris, meaningfully emphasized:
“Unfortunately, OAKA has not been utilized as it should be after the Olympic Games, but efforts are being made to achieve this. No Finish Line Athens is the first major event held in OAKA after the coronavirus. These matches promoted by OAKA help us a lot and I have to say a big thank you”.
The start of the 8th NFL Athens will be given on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 09:30 at the Agora of OAKA and runners regardless of age or physical condition with a single registration can walk or run at any time of the day or night, for as many times and days they want and for as long as they want, in a circular route of one kilometer. The purpose of all participants is to record kilometers that are converted into money for the implementation of “Together for the Children” programs.
The end of the charity race, in which thousands of sensitized citizens, athletes and athletes, clubs and schools, organizations and companies from all over Greece participate every year, will be at the same place on Sunday, May 19 at 1:30 p.m. after five days full of sport and recreation, music and dance at the Agora of OAKA.
Major Sponsors of the 8th No Finish Line Athens are National Insurance Company and Lidl Hellas. Distinguished sponsors are Zagori Natural Mineral Water, the Medical Group of Athens and the Antenna group. Official sponsors are MEVGAL, Herbalife, Japanese and Crossover. Major Supporters are Papadopoulou, Barilla, Algida, Fix Anew and Counterpain. Distinguished Sponsors Frezyderm, Village Cinemas, Moxy Athens City Hotel, Avis Car Service Company and ACS Courier Service Company. Official Sponsors are the companies Fiore, En Olympos, Begnis, Chaidemenos and Instaride. Communication sponsors are Easy 97.2, Athens Voice and Sportsfeed.gr.
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
