Salutation by the President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association

 

Salutation by the President of the 

Greek Lifesaving Sports Association

Dear friends, in antiquity, Greeks gave birth to the Ancient Olympic Games. The entire world is grateful. Last century, a visionary group facilitated the birth of the Modern Olympic Games. They are still remembered. Today, Greece pays its dues. Our ancestors inherited us with the obligation to express opinion about Olympism and Humanism. We are placing a building block to the high wall that immortal lifesaving giants like Wilbert Longfellow, Raymond Pittet, William Henry, Joost Bierens, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Harald Vervaecke among others, have built to save lives from drowning. Next century, this symposium may be remembered for having highlighted the Olympic virtues of lifesaving, the world’s only humanitarian sport, as means of saving lives from drowning. I warmly thank the contributing organizations and experts, the Hellenic Olympic Committee President and Secretary General Spyros Capralos and Manolis Kolympadis, the “father” of Greek professional lifeguarding Lucas Bistarakis and the GLSA volunteers for making this event possible. We are getting close to realize our dream. One symposium, one championship, one campaign at the time! Welcome to Greece, the motherland of the Olympic Games. Our story will not be forgotten by History. Kalimera!

Dr. Stathis Avramidis

President, Greek Lifesaving Sports Association

President, International Experts Symposium on Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Business Committee Member, International Life Saving Federation

Board Member, International Swimming Hall of Fame

Board Member, Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation