On Wednesday, 24th April 2024, at 09.45 am, the Olympic Flame will be lit for the first time at the University of Ioannina.

The honorary event commemorates the 60th anniversary of the University of Ioannina and is part of the “Paris 2024” Olympic Flame Torch Relay. The Lighting of the Flame took place on 16th April in the sanctuary of ancient Olympia, Greece, where the ancient Olympics were once held. The Flame will travel 3,000 miles across Greece, before embarking on its epic journey across France, to arrive in Paris for the start of the games in July.

The Olympic Torch will reach the University campus A’ at 09.45 in the morning. The first torchbearer, Ms Elena Papastamatopoulou, student of Medicine, and member of the National para-Taekwondo team, will receive the Olympic Torch and carry it to the Congress Center ‘Karolos Papoulias’, where the Flame will be lit.

The ceremony will feature the hoisting of the Olympic Games flag, alongside the flags of France and Greece, and the respective anthems performed and sung by students of the Department of Music Studies of the University.

The Olympic Flame ceremony will be greeted by the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Professor Anna Batistatou, the General Consul of France, Mr Jean-Luc Lavaud acting as the delegate of the “Paris 2024” Olympic Gamers Organizing Committee, and the Chair of the Olympic Relay Committee, Mr Thanasis Vasiliadis, who stands for the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

The Ceremony will conclude with a musical performance by students of the Department of Music Studies, under the guidance of Dr. Antonios Ververis. The Olympic Torch will then be handed over to Mr Aris Zaragas, a student of Primary Education and, golden national medalist in judo.

The University of Ioannina takes great pride in joining, for the first time, the inaugural celebrations before the Olympic Games, as they showcase the Olympic spirit’s essence of peace, unity, healthy competition, and inclusion.

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