Original source (on modern site)
President Bach, who was accompanied by the IOC Member in Greece, Mr Spyros Capralos, who is also the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, gave Ms Sakellaropoulou a tour of Olympic House, one of the most sustainable buildings in the world. He also introduced her to the IOC staff from Greece. In their discussions, both acknowledged the strong ties between the IOC and the Hellenic Republic (Greece), where the ancient Olympic Games first originated in 776 BC. President Bach and President Sakellaropoulou discussed the current geopolitical situation and the impact it has on sport. In this context, both leaders stressed the peace mission of the Olympic Games, which is to unite the world in peaceful competition. A few days ago, Greece voted together with the overwhelming majority of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Member States to adopt the Olympic Truce Resolution for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. In Olympic House, Ms Sakellaropoulou signed the IOC's "Golden Book". She wrote: "It is a distinct pleasure for me to visit the Olympic International Committee here in Lausanne. The ideal of Olympism, which has its roots in Ancient Greece, reflects the values of excellence, friendship and respect, still relevant today." During a tour of the Olympic Museum in Ouchy, the President of the Hellenic Republic saw the original manifesto of Pierre de Coubertin re-establishing the Olympic Games in modern times. The Greek roots of the Olympic Games have a special place at the Olympic Museum, as does the first IOC President: Greek businessman and writer Demetrios Vikelas. Since the revival of the Olympic Games by IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, the ties binding the IOC and Greece remain as strong as ever. Indeed, the first edition of the modern Olympic Games was organised in Athens in 1896. Meanwhile, before every edition of the Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games, the Olympic flame is lit in a symbolic ceremony in Olympia, the original site of the ancient Olympic Games, in the presence of dignitaries. From Olympia, the flame travels to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens and from then on to the host country of the Games to begin the Olympic torch relay. During each opening ceremony for the Olympic Games, the delegation from Greece always leads the athletes at the head of the parade of nations. At Paris 2024, the Greek delegation will lead the parade of athletes down the River Seine.