Greek athletes relive glorious history at Olympic Museum in Nanjing
Greek athletes at Nanjing 2014 were among the first to visit the newly opened Nanjing Olympic Museum, which pays homage to the birthplace of the Games.
The Nanjing Olympic Museum was officially opened on 17 August by IOC President Thomas Bach and his predecessor, Jacques Rogge, to coincide with the start of the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games.
Located towards the north of the Youth Olympic Village showcases the history of the Olympic movement, from ancient times to a modern era that began with the creation of the IOC in 1894 and the organisation of the Athens Games two years later. In addition to hundreds of artefacts, the museum features giant video screens, a 3D cinema and a multi-sport simulation room.
Athletes at the YOG were able to visit the museum as part of the Nanjing Culture and Education Programme. Among the first to do so was the Greek contingent, who were delighted by what they found.
“I’ve seen a lot of great things in the museum, and the fact that some of them have a direct link to the history and culture of Greece made me feel very proud,” said swimmer Apostolos Christou.
Rower Athina-Maria Angelopoulou was equally impressed. “I’m very happy that my country was the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and I’m proud to be able to continue that tradition,” she said.
Angelopoulou, who earned a silver medal in the women’s single skulls on Xuanwu Lake on 18 August, not only tested out the museum’s rowing simulator, but was also able to watch herself collecting her medal via one of the screens.
“It was fantastic to see that video at the museum. I’m so glad to have won a medal for Greece and to have accomplished all my goals,” she added.
YOG ambassador Filippos Papageorgiou also enjoyed his visit, emphasising the museum’s educational impact. “It’s wonderful to think that the place that we come from was at the origin of the amazing competition that we now know as the Olympic Games,” he said.
“In my opinion, the highlight of the museum is the section that covers the history of the Games – you can really learn a lot from it. It’s a museum for everyone, providing knowledge that can help us to build a better world.”