27 MAR '19
Hellas Group supports the First International Women’s Half Marathon 2019 held in Shanghai!
Hellas Group spared no effort to assist wherever needed, as a bridge between China and Greece, for the first Shanghai International Women’s Half Marathon which was successfully held on March 24th, by Changning District government, jointly with the Chinese Athletic Association and Shanghai Sports Federation with 4,000 participants. On this occasion, the Greek Marathon Delegation arrived at Pudong International Airport in March 22, as honorary guests of Changning District Government.
The 6 members were welcomed by Director Wang Renwei of Changning District Sports Bureau along with Hellas Group members, Ms. Archodia Balioukou Hellas House Head of Culture and Education, and Ms. Jenny Huang, Hellas Group Head-Office Manager.
The Greek Marathon Delegation also visited Hellas House, where they were welcomed by the President of Hellas Group, Mrs. Sophia Kontomichalou.
From left to right: Mr. Panagiotis Melachrinos, Member of Athens Marathon, the Authentic Organizing Committee and Head of Minister’s Office in the Greek Ministry of Digital Policy Telecommunications & Media, Anthy Koraini Kiriakopoulou (Greek National Champion, 1500m and 800m), Mrs. Maria Sevdali wife of Mr. Melachrinos, Mr. Dimitrios Chachamis, Member of SEGAS Executive Board, Zoi Anita Andrikopoulou (Gold Medal 3km in the 8th Athens Half Marathon 2019), Mrs. Kontomichalou and Mr. Athanasios Chaskis, President of EAS SEGAS Ipirou (Regional Athletics Union Association).
All the members congratulated Mrs. Kontomichalou for the importance of Hellas House in the heart of Shanghai as a great symbol of Greek Culture in China.
Later in the evening the Vice Mayor of Changning District, Mr. Meng Qingyuan hosted a Welcome Dinner for the Greek Delegation in the presence of the Director of Medical Health Care Committee, Mrs. Ge Min, Director of Sports Bureau, Mr. Wang Renwei, Director of Foreign Affairs Office, Mrs. Huang Yingru, General Manager of Donghao Lansheng Co., Mr. Zhou Jin, Deputy Director of Sports Bureau, Mrs. Zhang Xiaolei and Hellas Group President, Mrs. Sophia Kontomichalou.
The two sides exchanged gifts to symbolize the long-lasting friendship between China and Greece and expressed their optimism in further developing cooperation on Culture and Education between the two nations under the Belt and Road initiative.
Mr. Dimitrios Chachamis, Member of SEGAS Executive Board receives a symbolic present by Mr. Meng Qingyuan, Vice Mayor of Changning District.
From left to right: Director Wang Renwei of Changning District Sports Bureau, Mrs. Kontomichalou, Mr. Chachamis, Mr. Meng and Mr. Melachrinos holding their gifts from the Greek Marathon Delegation.
The Secretary-General of Changning District Committee of the CPC, Mr. Wang Weiren (second from right), the Mayor of Changning District, Mr. Gu Honghui (third from left), the Vice Mayor of Changning District, Mr. Meng Qingyuan along with Mr. Chachamis participated in the Shanghai International Women’s Half Marathon opening ceremony.
The two Greek athletes, Anthy Koraini Kiriakopoulou and Zoi Anita Andrikopoulou crossed the finish line in first and second place (3 km).
Anthy Koraini Kiriakopoulou who finished first place in the 3km race talks about her win during an interview.
Zoi Anita Andrikopoulou who finished second place in the 3km race during her interview.
Mrs. Kontomichalou during her interview.
Historical Facts: The Marathon
The Marathon Race is commemorating the epic run of the Greek messenger and soldier Pheidippides in 490 B.C. from the battlefield in Marathon all the way to Athens with word that the Greeks have defeated the Persian army. Pheidippides ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the Athenian assembly exclaiming «Νενικήκαμεν!» (“Nenikìkamen!”, “We have won”), before collapsing and dying.
Since then, the Marathon has become a universal message attesting to the human’s victory over life’s adversities, the commitment to values and goals against overwhelming odds and the harmony of body, mind and spirit. A symbol of determination, faith, courage, peace, and patriotism.