Hellenic Olympic Committee Hosts “Together in Sport – Together in Taekwondo ” at the Historic Panathenaic Stadium

This event was part of the EU-funded “Together in Sport – Phase II” project and was held in conjunction with the Refugee Week Greece Festival 2024. The Phase II of the project will continue the activities seen in Phase I (2021-2022) which supported over 9,000 refugee and host community youth to access various sport and cultural activities across Greece in efforts to promote social cohesion. As in the first phase, the project is co-funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). 

This event brought together 441 participants, including 202 refugee children and young adults, and 239 local youth athletes from taekwondo clubs. The event's primary aim was to foster unity and understanding between young refugees from facilities inside and outside Attica, aged 7 to 21, and host community members through sport.  

The event began with an impressive taekwondo demonstration by skilled Taekwondoin, who captivated the young audience with their agility. After the demonstration, the participants had the chance to practice basic taekwondo movements under the guidance of experienced coaches. By bringing refugees and host community youth together, participants created new friendships, bridging different cultural backgrounds. Greek children from Taekwondo clubs demonstrated techniques to the refugee children, who were excited to share their athletic skills and learn the sport. 

To further enrich the cultural exchange, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) set up an art exposition within the stadium. The exhibition featured various artworks, including drawings and comics, created by students from all over the country around the theme “We are all on the same team.” This creative display further emphasized the event's theme of unity and togetherness. 

During the event, the Athens Olympic Museum made a special tribute to Alexandros Nikolaidis, a revered Taekwondo Olympian who made his mark during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Displaying Nikolaidis' chest guard and silver medal, the tribute inspired the attendees and highlighted the rich legacy of taekwondo in Greece. 

Several key partners collaborated to ensure the success of the event, including Action for Migration and Development (METAdrasi), the Hellenic Taekwondo Federation, the Athens Olympic Museum, and UNHCR. 

HOC President Mr. Spyros Capralos reflected on the event, sharing, “Sport has a unifying power. We must not forget this even though we are experiencing such turbulent times. Sport is a universal language which transcends social, cultural, racial, and gender differences. Sport unites us and teaches us valuable lessons not only on the playing field but in life itself.” 

To learn more about how sport can contribute to the protection and inclusion of refugees and find ways to get involved in the Sport for Refugees Coalition, visit our webpage or get in touch at [email protected].