“We’re in!” said the political and church leaders of Euboea when presented with the “Host Town” program. In a ceremony that took place in the Prefecture Building, in Chalkis, a memorandum was signed, by which the Prefecture of Euboea officially joined the Program.

As part of the Host Town Program, Chalkis and Eretria will play host to 300 athletes for four days, before the opening of Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens 2011 (25 June - 4 July 2023). The majority of athletes will stay, free of charge, at the “Katerina” hotel in Eretria.

In her speech, Joanna Despotopoulou, President of the Organizing Committee Athens 2011, explained: “Chalkis and Eretria were chosen to be included in the 60 Greek towns and islands that will host these unique athletes. The Host Town program is an integral part of the World Summer Games. One of its goals is to promote mutual understanding between different cultures by emphasizing the particular gifts and skills of people with intellectual disabilities.”

The memorandum was signed by Mrs. Despotopoulou; the Prefect of Euboea, Dimitris Bouradas; the Mayor of Chalkis, Thanassis Zebilis; and the Mayor of Eretria, Amfitriti Alibaté. The ceremony was attended by the Metropolitan Bishop of Chalkis, Istiea and the Northern Sporades Chrysostomos; the Deputy for Southwestern Euboea, Simos Kedikoglou; Olympic medal-winning rhythmic gymnast Eirini Aindili; world wrestling champion Fani Psatha; and numerous Special Olympics athletes from Euboea.