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Salutation by the Secretary General
of the Hellenic Olympic Committee
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests welcome to Athens and to this symposium, held in the birthplace of the Olympic Games. We are gathered here today at the Hellenic Olympic Committee, that welcomes this remarkable occassion with its premises, situated at the very core of Olympism. This symposium is dedicated to a noble to a wonderful cause that perfectly reasonates with the values and ethics held by the Olympic Movement. The reason we are here today is to discuss about a matter of outmost importance, one that concerns the preservation of lifesaving. More specifically, we will try to set some light on the importance of lifesaving as a general humanitarian value as well as its importance as a sport. We all agree that water represents both represents life and danger. Regretably, thousands of people drown every year worldwide. In Greece, around 400 people drown every year. In the face of this danger, we stand here today to share our insight and focus on the immense value of the skill, the trend and the dedication that lifesaving requires. Lifesaving constitutes a humanitarian value that retains the principles of compassion and empathy. As a sport, lifesaving combines athletic ability with practical lifesaving techniques, providing a sport platform to emphasize the importance of such skills. Apart from its competitive aspect, lifesaving sport raises awareness about water safety, first aid and rescue techniques, providing to participants and spectators lifesaving knowledge. To conclude, lifesaving is a virtious sport which promotes a great humanitarian goal; the saving of lives and these values should be widely recognized. Ladies and gentlement, I invite you all to engage in this symposium in an interactive and constructive manner. I welcome you once again to the premises of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and wish that the proceedings of this conference to be crawned with absolute sucess. Thank you very much.
Emmanouil Kolympadis
Secretary General
Hellenic Olympic Committee
