In June, the ancient sports games are revived for the 5th time

Her 5η Σύγχρονη Νεμεάδα οργανώνει από 22 to 24 June the Association for the Revival of the Nemean Games in the ancient stadium of the area and they have already declared participation in the 250 people from 23 countries of the world (up to Cameroon), most from universities and scientific institutes.

Athletes – participation is open to all, men, women and children – will compete in the street and the winners will be crowned as in ancient times with wild celery, which grows in Nemea. As for the club, it should be noted that it counts 1.200 members from 19 Countries.

"What weighed the most on our decision is the willingness to show the world that Greece, through its antiquities and ancient history, has valuable lessons to deliver to today's global community", says about the organization the American archaeologist and excavator of the Sanctuary of Zeus in Nemea, Mr. Stefanos Miller, professor at the University of Berkeley, now a Greek citizen and president of the Association for the Revival of the Nemean Games.

Archaeologically interesting, however, is the fact that the participants will pass through the vault, cryptic portico in order to go out into the stadium – as was the case in the ancient games – which in a short time, until Easter, will be fully maintained and restored, because her condition was tragic.

The project started last October in a study by the engineer Mr. Costas Zambas and led by Mrs. Ioanna Dogani, the team of conservators.

By "injecting" hydraulic lime into the broken stones to fix them to stop their surface exfoliating and eventually falling, the serious problem of the arcade was dealt with, which has length 37 meters and covered by embankment 7 meters.

Tubes took up her entire wall as if she were a patient, but who is now recovering. Artificial stone after all, completely distinct from the ancient one was used as a supplement in the places where the original one has been destroyed.

However, sponsors covered the cost of the project 150.000 euros and specifically the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the association "Ofeltis" and the Ioanni S. Foundation. Latsi.

The gallery was brought to light by 1978 Mr.. Stefanos Miller, on whose initiative drainage works were carried out around the ancient changing room of the stadium, which in ancient times had controlled access to the portico leading to the stadium.

Regarding the organization of the games on the three days that will last, will include touch of flame, speed races 100 meters ("stage") and 7,5 kilometers ("long way") with the name "In the footsteps of Herakles" from the temple of Herakles in ancient Kleones to the stadium of Nemea and finally the crowning of the winners.

If there is any objection to this initiative, it is the clothing of athletes and judges, which will be "ancient Greek", a fact that caused previous negative comments about its aesthetics. But as Mr. Miller there are people who come from the other side of the world just to wear this chlamydia…

For their part, the residents of the area have other reasons to protest: The archaeological site is closed on Saturdays, day when there are many visitors, unlike weekdays, which is open but the tourists are absent.

Source : tovima.gr