Athens,
September 8, 2020 – The historic race of The Authentic Marathon Swim revived at
Artemision 2,500 years later. Amateur and professional swimmers from Japan,
Russia, Great Britain, Germany, Bulgaria and Greece enjoyed the remarkable
sporting event with utmost safety, uniting the legend with history, on
September 4-6, 2020, at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos.
The
authentic route
For
the first time, after 2,500 years, the historic authentic 10km route revived
with the participation of world-class names that swam over the shipwrecks of
the historic naval battle of Artemision in 480 B.C. following the example of
Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, the very first “marathon swimmers”, according
to The Father of History, Herodotus, who helped the Greek forces in the
historic naval battle of Artemision against the Persian fleet. The demanding route
took place at the straits of Artemision, connecting Central Greece with
Thessaly and the regional units of Evia, Magnesia and Fthiotida, with the
presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris
Avgenakis, President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Mrs. Angela
Gerekou, Governor of Central Greece Region, Mr. Fanis Spanos and Mayor of
Istiaia-Edipsos, Mr. Ioannis Kontzias. A common reference from all those
honouring the event with their presence, was made for the absolutely successful
compliance of the measures and the historic revival of the authentic swimming
marathon route.
In
the context of the races held, the Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos, Mr. Kontzias,
stated: “It was a special honour for our Municipality to revive this historic
sporting event. With the principle of Plutarch’s ascertainment about the Naval Battle
of Artemision “ἀρχὴ γὰρ ὄντως τοῦ νικᾶν τὸ θαρρεῖν” meaning “Courage is the
beginning of victory” we faced the special conditions of our times with
responsibility and emerged as winners. I would like to warmly thank the entire
Greek state, the Greek National Tourism Organization, the Ministry of Tourism,
the General Secretariat of Sports, the Hellenic Swimming Federation, the Region
of Central Greece, the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece and
all sponsors who supported us in this effort from the first moment, recognizing
the historical background of The Authentic Marathon Swim. Our goal is for the
event to become an institution and to be repeated every year”.
The
support of the local government
The
entire local government of Central Greece joined the Municipality of
Istiaia-Edipsos, supporting the revival of The Authentic Marathon Swim. The
event was held with the support and cooperation of the Region of Central
Greece, the Organization of Cultural Development for Central Greece
(O.P.A.ST.E.) and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece.
World
class athletes were present
The
Authentic Marathon Swim was honored by the presence of the silver Olympic
medalist, world champion in open water swimming and member of the International
Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Spyros Gianniotis.
Among
participating swimmers, the event had the Bulgarian Olympic champion Petar
Stoychev with 4 Olympics participations, 11 consecutive titles in major
international open water marathon swimming FINA series and the impressive
achievement of being in the Ice Swimming Hall of Fame, the Japanese Olympic
champion in Rio, Yasu Fukuoka and top names from Greece. Specifically, the open
water masters’ world champion, Vicky Kouveli the bronze medalist in 2011 world
open water swimming championship, with 4 participations in Olympics, Marianna
Lymperta, the three-time Greek champion and two-time English Channel marathon
swimmer, Sofia Psilolignou, the English Channel marathon swimmer Giannis
Kotsiopoulos, along with the elite athletes of the Greek national open water
swimming team with Dimitris Negris, Andreas Georgakopoulos, Stellina Aplanti,
Ilektra Lebl, Olga Ntalla and the swimming champion George Skotadis who
competes with the colors of the Dutch national team.
In
the context of the races, Spyros Gianniotis, Nikos Gemelos, Petar Stoychev,
Yasu Fukuoka, Vicky Kouveli, Marianna Lymperta and Sofia Psilolignou were
honored for their presence, while the Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos, Mr. Ioannis
Kontzias was honored for his idea and work.
The
activities
On
Saturday, September 5, action began with the 3km open water swimming race,
while the 1.5km race followed at Pefki beach.
Respectively,
on Sunday, September 6, the event culminated with the revival of the authentic
10km marathon swimming route at the straits of Artemision. The event also
included an 800m children’s race offering joy and smiles to dozens of kids. The
warm-up of all athletes was held by the physical education instructor, Mandy
Persaki.
The
Authentic Marathon Swim, honoring the history of the region, held a symbolic
event at the ancient settlement of Artemision where Mavroelia from Artemision
or Olive Mavromandila can be found. It is a monument of nature and local
history, one of the oldest olive trees in the world, dating back over 2,500
years. Winners of the routes were symbolically awarded with a branch of
Mavroelia.
The
races’ results
In
the authentic 10km marathon swimming route, the Bulgarian Olympic champion
Petar Stoychev finished first in men’s category, while the world champion of
open water masters, Vicky Kouveli took the first place in women. In the 3km
route, the champion Dimitris Negris won the first place amongst the men while the
champion Ilektra Lebl was first in women. Respectively, in the 1.5km route, the
champion Andreas Georgakopoulos finished first in men’s category and Despina
Dogia was first in the women’s category. You may check all detailed results
here:
10km:
authenticmarathonswim.com/10km-route-results
3km:
authenticmarathonswim.com/3km-route-results
1.5km:
authenticmarathonswim.com/1-5km-route-results
Opening
the gates for safe sports tourism events
The
event was held in accordance with FINA regulations and the health protocol
based on the instructions of the expert scientists-collaborators of the
Hellenic Swimming Federation and recommendations of the Greek General
Secretariat of Sports’ Health Committee, established by Active Media Group, ensuring
the health of athletes and attendees.
The
mandatory use of a mask by the staff and encouragement of its use by everyone
with its free provision, the temperature measurements by the team of Target
Security, although several athletes entered the venue with a mask showing a
high sense of individual responsibility, the use of gloves where needed, the
disinfection of all areas, equipment and office materials, the demarcation of a
2,000 square meters space through the use of railings, swimmers starting in
different waves to avoid interactions while maintaining long distances between
them, the isolation of foreign athletes in different hotels and their entry in
Greece with PCR tests were just a few elements on the first page of the safety
measures implemented.
In
the context of The Authentic Marathon Swim, Active Media Group Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. Akis Tsolis stated: "With our experienced and certified staff
from the World Health Organization, we put in action with absolute success, an
even stricter health protocol than the one approved by the Hellenic Swimming
Federation and the General Secretariat of Sports, taking all necessary measures
for the safety of our participants. We created a recording system of outgoing
and incoming people in order to always be aware, of the number of people that
were present at the area of the sports facility we built. Moreover, for the
first time in the world, in these health conditions we experience, individual
awarding was held for the 10km athletes. A huge effort was made by the
organizing committee, the Municipality, the volunteers but above all by the
participants who mostly came to the venue wearing masks.
We
did not write history, because history was written 2,500 years ago in the naval
battle of Artemision, in the Battle of Thermopylae and in the route swam by Hydna
and Skyllias. We are adding to the glorious book of our place’s history; we are
filling in the blank pages that are left from the authentic marathon swimming
route 2,500 years ago, and we are opening a new chapter in the history of
swimming and sports tourism”.
Safety
throughout the races
All
routes of The Authentic Marathon Swim were designed by the Greek national
swimming coach with distinctions in Olympic Games & world open water
swimming championships, Mr. Nikos Gemelos. The event prioritizing the absolute
safety of its athletes, provided everyone with a safety lifeguard buoy since
its use by professional and amateur athletes was mandatory. On the 10km route each
swimmer had an escorting boat next to him for safety reasons. Numerous
lifeguards with boats and staff from Lifeguard Patrol and European Lifeguard
School, contributed to the safety of the races with the support of the Hellenic
Red Cross with Chalkida’s Regional Department and dozens of volunteers from the
region who helped in the event’s smooth delivery. The judges of the race were
appointed by the Hellenic Swimming Federation, which had given its approval for
the organization of the event, while the Port Authority of Orei and the race’s
doctor also supervised all athletes.
Hospitality
Sponsors’ dynamic support
The
Authentic Marathon Swim collaborated with 40 hotels in the region, with the aim
of revitalizing the sports tourism industry of Northern Evia and strengthening
the Greek tourism product. The event was enormously supported with special
offers and prices by the following hospitality sponsors: Hydna Studios, Island,
Maria Louiza Apartments, Hotel 40 Platania, Altamar Hotel, Ellaeon Throesma, Artemision
Hotel, Galini Hotel Edipsos, Ilios Studios, Villa Anastasia, Κochili
Apartments, Mirtia Hotel, Irene Studios, Aidipsos Hotel, Aktaion Hotel, Aenaon
Studios, Alex Spa Hotel, Anesis Pefki, Athina Studios, Apolonio, Artemis Rooms
Pefki, Arethousa Hotel, Avli Hotel, Ermis Spa Hotel, Evia Dream, Galini Hotel
Pefki, Gioula Studios, Kallithea Hotel, Katerina Apartments, Kerasiotis
Apartments, Konstantinos Hotel, Lito Hotel, Maria Studios, Melikari Studios,
Mitho Hotel, Niki Studios, Jenny Studios, Papadioti Αpartments, Rodon Hotel,
Sunset Pefki.
The
Authentic Marathon Swim was held under the Auspices of the Greek National
Tourism Organization, it was listed in the “Thermopylae-Salamis 2020”
Anniversary framework, while joining the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas
2020 programme of the European Commission being held under the auspices of the
General Secretariat of Sports. The event was co-organized by the Municipality
of Istiaia-Edipsos Region of Central Greece, the Organization of Cultural
Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.ST.E.) and the Regional Union of
Municipalities of Central Greece, while Active Media Group was responsible for
its sports production.
The
Authentic Marathon Swim joined the swimming community Global Swim Series (GSS).
NP
Insurance and Philosofish were the Official Sponsors.
Vikos
Natural Mineral Water was the event’s Official Water.
Luanvi
was the Official Clothing Partner.
Mosconi
was the Official Sports Supplier.
Avance
was the event’s Official Car Rental Partner.
Messinian
Spa was the Official Beauty Partner and Target Security the Security Partner.
The
event’s Partners included Piraeus Bank, Syconia, Almanda and Fysiotek Sports
Lab.
Red
Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Leandros, Swimmingclub.gr, LA Elite Fitness, APS
TRIAS, Kallithea Open Water Team were The Authentic Marathon Swim’s Athletic
Partners.
Swimbikerun.gr
was the Media Partner.
The
event was assisted by Lifeguard Patrol, European Lifeguard School, Hellenic Red
Cross with Chalkida’s Regional Department, Meliriton and To Kochili.
The event’s official hashtag
#authenticmarathonswim created its own wave on social media brining unique
images and videos from participants’ exciting moments in the Municipality of
Istiaia – Edipsos.
Website:
www.authenticmarathonswim.com
Facebook
Page: www.facebook.com/AuthenticMarathonSwim
Instagram
Page: www.instagram.com/authenticmarathonswim
Twitter
Account: https://twitter.com/themarathonswim
YouTube
Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxMgl-j5wgosL10lyRay5Q
FOTOS
The Authentic Marathon Swim
foto
de Mike Tsolis
foto
de Angelos Zymaras
foto
de Dimitris Andritsos Photography
foto
de Elias Lefas
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