Correspondence: Greece attracts attention from all walks of life in the Winter Olympics and looks forward to the Beijing event

　　Xinhua News Agency Greece Ancient Olympia October 18 electric

　　Xinhua News Agency reporter Yu Shuaishuai Xiao Yazhuo

　　On October 18th, the tinder for the Beijing Winter Olympics was successfully collected at the ancient Olympia site on the Peloponnese Peninsula in Greece.

This is the 33rd year since the Greek Artemis Ignatius participated in the Olympic flame gathering ceremony.

　　Since the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Ignatius has been the choreographer and artistic director of the Olympic flame collection and handover ceremony.

In the previous 20 years, she played the role of the priestess and the supreme priestess in the ceremony, and served as an assistant choreographer, and has an indissoluble bond with the Olympic flame.

　　For Beijing, Ignatius has a special sentiment.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics was the first time she took over the fire gathering ceremony as a choreographer. This time she collected Olympic fire for Beijing again. She said that she was very touched. "The respect of the Chinese people for the fire gathering ceremony is what touched me the most in these years. ".

　　"(2008) The Beijing Olympics is my lucky charm. This time my feelings have returned to China, a country that once occupied an important node in my growth." Ignatius was full of arms at the ancient Olympia rehearsal on the 17th. Emotionally told Xinhua News Agency reporters.

　　From the first encounter with China, I began to realize how our two countries are connected, how ancient Greek civilization and Chinese civilization are connected, we have many similarities, Ignatius said.

　　Ignatiu said that she adjusted some of the detailed movements of the choreography and absorbed some of the detailed hand movements in traditional Chinese dances.

　　In the team of Ignatius, the well-known Greek actress Xanthi Giorgio played the highest priestess of the flame gathering and handover ceremony.

Like Ignatius, the 2008 Beijing Olympics is of great significance to her.

At that Olympic flame gathering ceremony, she joined as a priestess for the first time, and now she has grown into a actor of the highest priestess, admitting that she "takes greater responsibility."

　　George Wu told Xinhua News Agency reporters that the ceremony brought her a very unique feeling. She performed with the whole team and gathered everyone's strength in her hands, so everyone ignited the fire together.

This special moment that made her feel close to history and nature, she called it "Olympic tranquility."

　　Giorgiou believes that the Olympic flame represents peace, unity, and respect for nature and human history. In the current difficult stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries and regions in the world should respect differences, respect each other, and maintain communication.

　　Ignatius also agrees with Georgiou's interpretation of the Olympic flame.

They all sent their sincere blessings to the Beijing Winter Olympics through reporters from Xinhua News Agency, and wish Beijing a wonderful and brilliant Winter Olympics.

　　Regarding Beijing becoming the world's first "Double Olympics" city, the Greek Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Leftiris Avyanakis said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency reporter that he believes Beijing will once again achieve the success of the Olympics.

　　On behalf of the Greek Olympic Committee, Spiros Capraros expressed his expectations for the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Capraros told reporters that although the new crown epidemic has brought many difficulties to the world, "the Olympic Games and sports bring people together and let people see the best athletes in the world playing games. This is not only for the athletes, It is giving hope to the whole world."

　　The Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Georges George Prolos, believes that the Winter Olympics is the two civilizations joining hands again after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which is very exciting.

　　As the mayor of the birthplace of the Olympic movement, George Prolos said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters at the mayor’s office on the 16th that ancient Greek education advocated the unity of body and mind and harmony with nature. However, now human beings have gradually forgotten these values. Encountered by climate crises, regional conflicts and epidemics, mankind needs guidance.

　　"I believe that the combination of the brilliance and prestige of this great country of China and the great Olympic spirit will be able to send the correct signal to the world," he said.

　　There is also a pair of Greek twin sisters who are proud of Beijing becoming the first "Double Olympics" city.

Mariana and Sophia Erotokritu had studied and lived in China for seven years before the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, and Beijing was their “second hometown” for them.

　　Sister Marianna said that she missed the snowy winter in Beijing very much, "very beautiful".

Sister Sophia added that she missed Beijing’s fried noodles and small alleys.

They felt heartfelt joy for Beijing to host the Olympic Games again, and sent their heartfelt blessings to the Beijing Winter Olympics.