Olympia Officials Protest IOC Meeting Location

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Officials in Ancient Olympia are expressing their discontent over the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to hold its upcoming session in a neighboring region of southern Greece, rather than at the historic birthplace of the Olympic Games. Scheduled for March next year, the session will focus on appointing a successor to Thomas Bach, who has served as IOC president since 2013. Despite the lack of adequate facilities in Ancient Olympia to host the event, local officials remain hopeful that the ancient site will be included in the four-day meetings. Regional governor Nektarios Farmakis voiced his disappointment, labeling the decision as “a missed opportunity for something significant.” In a social media post, he emphasized the importance of Ancient Olympia, stating that it is not merely a museum but a living site of profound spiritual significance that attracts visitors globally. The sentiment was echoed by the town’s mayor and other local officials, who publicly criticized the choice of venue. While the specifics of the event remain undisclosed, representatives from the Hellenic Olympic Committee confirmed that the IOC session will take place at a coastal resort in the Messinia region, located approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) southwest of Athens. Ancient Olympia is renowned as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and is traditionally the site for the Olympic flame lighting ceremony held every two years, further underscoring the significance of the location in Olympic history.