Ancient Olympia Protests IOC Session Relocation

Officials in Ancient Olympia are protesting the decision to hold the next International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in a neighboring region rather than their historic town. Despite acknowledging the lack of facilities to host the event, local leaders express disappointment for missing a chance to highlight the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Officials in Ancient Olympia have expressed strong opposition to the decision to hold the upcoming International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in a neighboring region of southern Greece, rather than in their historic town. The session set for March next year aims to appoint a successor to current IOC President Thomas Bach.

Local Greek Olympic officials admit that Ancient Olympia lacks the necessary infrastructure to host the event, yet they hope the ancient site can still play a role in the four-day meetings. Regional governor Nektarios Farmakis described the decision as 'a missed opportunity for something significant' and highlighted Ancient Olympia's deep spiritual significance and appeal to global visitors.

Despite the expressed disappointment by local officials, the event details remain scant. However, representatives from the Hellenic Olympic Committee have confirmed that the IOC session will take place at a coastal resort in the Messinia region, located south of Ancient Olympia. The site of Ancient Olympia, about 290 kilometers southwest of Athens, is renowned as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and hosts the iconic Olympic flame lighting ceremony every two years.

(With inputs from agencies.)