At the invitation of the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee, on the morning of February 2, Greek Ambassador to China George Ilhopoulos came to Beijing Olympic Forest Park as the 20th torchbearer to participate in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Torch Relay.
Greek Ambassador to China George Ilhopoulos was interviewed before the relay. Photo by Wang Haixin
Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic movement and has a special status. Ilhopoulos is also the only foreign ambassador to China to participate in the relay of the Torch Relay for the Winter Olympics.
"As The Greek Ambassador to China and a Greek, I am very proud to be able to participate in the Torch Relay for the Beijing Winter Olympics." Iliopoulos said the idea of the Olympic flame originated in ancient Greece. In October 2021, the flame of the 2022 Winter Olympics arrived in Beijing from Ancient Olympia, a symbol of the connection between ancient and modern Times in the Olympic Games and a major symbol of the Olympic Movement today.
"The Olympic Games are not just a sporting event, they have important spiritual significance, even today." In his view, the flame of the Olympic torch represents passion, persistence, creativity and originality. These qualities underpin the core values of the Olympic Games, namely excellence or achievement in sport through physical and intellectual exercise.
The Greek Ambassador to China, George Ilhopoulos, relayed with Yao Ming.
"Through fair competition, openness, transparency and common rules, unity and connectivity are recognized and respected by all." He believes that this is the main symbolism of the Olympic flame and torch relay. In this day and age, we still need these values.
"The Beijing Winter Olympics will once again unite our country and people, especially Greece and China." Iliopoulos said the two countries had a very close cooperation between the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At that time, China hosted a very successful Olympic Games in 2008, and Greece gave great assistance. "I sincerely hope that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a complete success!" He's looking forward to it.
Source Beijing Daily Client | Reporters Sun Jie, Bai Bo, and Wang Haixin
Edited by Wang Wenmiao
Process Editor Wu Yue