European Union calls for Olympic Marathon to be held in Athens

Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas said on Sunday that the European Union could soon put forward a proposal for changing the location for the Olympic Marathon.

Ekathimerini reported that the proposal, which will be put towards the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its head Thomas Bach, entails having the Marathon held on its original route in Athens, Greece, regardless of where the Olympic Games take place.

Ο σημερινός Αυθεντικός Μαραθώνιος της Αθήνας φάρος αξιών που αντιπροσωπεύει η Ευρώπη: Ειρήνη, αλληλεγγύη, συμπερίληψη, ανεκτικότητα.

Μια φωτεινή γιορτή σ´αυτούς τους σκοτεινούς καιρούς με 70.000 συμμετέχοντες από 140 χώρες.

Φέτος η @EEAthina περήφανος θεσμικός υποστηρικτής. pic.twitter.com/lvYbNRq3tk

— Margaritis Schinas (@MargSchinas) November 12, 2023

“It is an event that is directly linked to the history of the Olympic Games,” Mr Schinas said.

“It is rooted in history and I think it is a case that, if we claim it together, the municipality, the government, and we from Europe, we can succeed.” 

This announcement came before the 40th Athens Authentic Marathon which took place on Sunday in Athens.

Source: Ekathimerini.