ARIS ANAGNOS
Honorary Cultural Counselor
Of The Greek Consulate General Of LOS ANGELES
July 23,
2002
To whom it May Concern:
As the Honorary Cultural Counselor
of the Greek Consulate of Los Angeles I wish to add support
to the concept of creating an Olympia Monument, such
as an obelisk, A temple or a wall etc., where the names
of all the Olympic winners from antiquity to the present
would be carved in marble.
This idea would greatly benefit the concept of the Olympic
games, since it would show the continuity of the games
from the times of antiquity to this day. It would also
Greatly benefit Greece because of the publicity generated
by the visit of the Olympic Winners to Olympia and the
ceremony of carving their names in Pendelic Marble.
Currently, at the end of the games, Greece is forgotten
until the Greek delegation leads the athlete's parade
at the next Olympics. The proposed ceremony at Olympia
Will keep Greece in the forefront also at the end of
the games.
The monument could also be tied in to the idea of the
Olympic Truce, which has generated much favorable international
publicity for Greece.
Mr. Makis Havadjias, a prominent Greek Cypriot American
and leader in the Los Angeles Greek Community who originated
the idea, believes that he has secured Commitments for
the financing of the project; therefore, no appropriation
of funds from the Greek government or the Olympic Committee
is required. The Mayor of Olympia, George Aidonis, the
member of Parliament from the area Takis Antonakopoulos
and other local leaders have expressed their support
for the project. We are asking for the support of the
Ministry of Athletics, the Ministry of Culture and the
Greek Olympic Committee so that the support of the I.O.C.
may also be obtained.
Your support of this exciting idea will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Aris
Anagnos |