Simple and unadorned, and fully representative of the Special Olympics movement, the torch of the 2011 World Summer Games was presented today at a ceremony at the Zappeion Mansion. Created by Zolotas Jewelers in charcoal and gold, standing 45cm tall and weighing 1,450 grams, it is the torch that will carry the Flame of Hope during the torch-run which will end at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on 25 June 2011, at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

The first torch was presented to Mr. Karolos Papoulias, President of the Republic, by Ahens 2011 Organizing Committee President Mrs. Joanna Despotopoulou and Special Olympics athlete Costas Tzoumerkas, who, following the official presentation, visited the Presidential Mansion in the company of Deputy Minister of Health, Nutrition and Sports, Mr. Christos Aidonis.

After thanking the President of the Republic for receiving them, Mrs. Despotopoulou said: “We are very moved. This is a very important day for us because today we presented the torch of the Games and the first torch should be offered to you. With you, Greece’s First Citizen, as a volunteer, we are confident that the Games will be a great success. In fact, you have already contributed to their success by setting an example that has been emulated by 14,500 volunteers so far. Our target is 19,000 and our campaign is still continuing.”

To this, Mr. Karolos Papoulias replied: “I’m happy to be doing my part. I thank you very much and I would also like to thank everyone who is contributing to this very important project. I’m confident it’ll go very well.”

Earlier, during the presentation of the torch, Mrs. Despotopoulou noted in her speech: “We are 263 days away from the Games and are faced with huge demands. These are hard times. We are determined to proceed with organizing the Games with the support of the State, as well as Greek and foreign business people. I would like to thank the creator of the torch, Mr. Yorgos Papalexis of Zolotas Jewelers. It is a torch which will carry messages of co-existence, love and solidarity. The lighting of the Flame of Hope will take place at the sacred hill of Pnyx on 9 June 2023 from where the torch-run will begin towards its first stop, Istanbul.”

Next to take the podium was Deputy Minister of Health, Nutrition and Sports, Mr. Christos Aidonis: “As one listens to your words, one journeys to a world of solidarity, love and fraternity. These games are all about participating, not coming first. This is the grand event of 2011. We, as the State, are duty-bound to stand by this endeavor and to support it.”

Yorgos Papalexis, the creator of the torch, detailed the sources of his inspiration and added: “I would like to thank Special Olympics for giving us the opportunity to create a torch/jewel, as we at Zolotas Jewelers like to call it. It’s the first time we’ve ever done something like this. The torch carries the message of the cessation of hostilities. We chose the meander, the ancient symbol of infinity, of eternal life. It also carries the symbolism of Chiron’s hold, the eternal symbol of victory over the unachievable, an apt concept for these unique Games that will take place in Athens. We were also inspired by the column of the Ionic order. So we combined the meander and the Ionic column with the color of charcoal and gold.”

Zolotas Jewelers will offer 40 torches to the Organizing Committee of Special Olympics ATHENS 2011 to cover the needs of the torch-run.