Greek-Americans through the Hellenic American Leadership Council help Greek Olympic Athletes Realize Their Dreams
When competing with the Greek colors, especially in an individual sport, we carry within us the hope, the grief, the pain, the desire, and ultimately the blessing of every Greek. We look at our flag and we briefly close our eyes and visualize the moment when our national anthem will be heard, acknowledging the fact that we have accomplished what we have set out to do. With every difficult moment we face, and at times when our body does not follow our spirit, within us beats the heart of every Greek, and our strength becomes colossal.
This is how we feel, so this is how we fight. We are used to the difficulties of competition and we have found ways to overcome them. We are living in a very difficult era in general, and to be able to overcome these obstacles is the first “moral” victory.
Our paths crossed in a similar fashion. Our athletic skills could only help us to a certain point, but your organization came along and became the main (for some of us the only) supporter. You came and provided us the strength for us to enter and conquer the athletic arena of the truest, the grandest, and the most beautiful.
Your assistance is invaluable. The support of the Greek diaspora, is another example that exemplifies that Hellenism does not end with Greece’s natural borders, but is in the heart, soul, and blood of every Greek.
If we achieve a favorable result, it will offer us individually a place on the “stage”. We all seek a spot on the podium, but we also want it in particular to justify your assistance. The help you have offered to us is unique, is invaluable and will remain unforgettable in our minds. We will have you forever in our hearts and every victory of ours in the Olympic Games will be a victory for you, and a victory for the country we all love.
We thank you
Alexandros Nikolaidis (Official flag bearer of the Olympic team)
Aggeliki Skarlatou
Tina Kefala
Vassiliki Vougiouka
