OLYMPIC VICTORS Leonidas of Rhodes (runner)

Leonidas became famous and was eventually deified for his victories in the stade, the diaulos, and the race in armor (hoplite race). Historical testimonies refer to him as the athlete who ran with a diabolic speed. Leonidas was victorious in all three events in four successive Olympiads, a unique achievement. This is particularly amazing because the three events were all running events. It is more difficult for a runner to have endurance and speed over this period of time (four Olympiads) than it is for a wrestler or a boxer to maintain his strength. For this reason, the accomplishments of Leonidas were more renowned than those of others who were victorious in successive Olympiads in heavy events. Leonidas' first Olympic victories took place in 164 BC (154^thOlympiad) and again in 160 BC, 156 BC and finally in 152 BC, when, at the age of 36, he gave his island three more victories and was deified by his fellow citizens

http://olympics.ime.gr/ancient/

OLYMPIC VICTORS Diagoras of Rhodes (boxer)

Diagoras of Rhodes, the son of Damagetus and great grandson of Damagetus, king of Ialissos, was the most famous boxer in antiquity. Pindar called him "huge". He is said to be impressive not only because of his size but because of his beauty. He was crowned as Olympic victor in wrestling in 464 B.C, in the 79^thOlympiad. He was twice crowned winner in the Nemean games, four times in the Isthmian, numerous times in games held at his homeland Rhodes, in the Panathenaea, in Argos, in Lykaion, in Aegina, in Megara and elsewhere.

Diagoras was known for his unique boxing technique. He was called "euthymachos", because he never ducked or sidestepped a blow, but he kept his body erect during competition. He wanted an honest and decent victory, always followed the rules causing pride and admiration among his fans. Pindar composed an ode in his honour and his statue was placed at the Altis.

He was fortunate enough to watch his sons receive the Olympic wreath and be Olympic victors themselves -Damagetos in wrestling, Akousilaos and Dorieas both in the pankration- as well as his grandsons Eucles and Peisidorus. In 448 BC, during the 83^rdOlympiad, Diagoras, on top of his victorious sons' shoulders was cheered by the spectators. This was the most glorious moment of his life, and realizing this, a Spartan spectator shouted at him that it would be better if he were to die at that instant, since there was nothing more glorious than to ascend to Mount Olympus and to the gods. Hearing this, Diagoras, still held by his sons, lowered his head and quietly died.

http://olympics.ime.gr/ancient/

OLYMPIC VICTORS Herodoros of Megara (trumpeter)

Athenaeus refers to the writer Amarantus from Alexandria who gave the description of the most famous trumpeter of antiquity.Herodoros was said to be a man of immense size. He consumed approximately 7 kilos of bread and meat, 6 liters of wine and slept on a lion's hide.

He was the winner in the trumpeter's competition for ten successive Olympiads, the first one being in 328 BC and the last one in 292 BC, spanning almost a period of 40 years. He also helped Demetrios I the Besieger to defeat the town of Argos by simultaneously blowing loudly on two trumpets encouraging the soldiers.

http://olympics.ime.gr/ancient/

The Olympic Games in Antiquity

The Olympiad
The Olympic Games were held every four years, in the second week of July, and lasted for four to five days in the Classical period, even though there were many changes regarding their duration through their long history. Up to the 24th Olympiad (684 BC) they were conducted in only one day, while in the 37th Olympiad (632 BC) three more days were added. Through the centuries, the games developed and new events were added in their programme. During the Olympic Games, the Greeks made sacrifices to Zeus and the other gods of the sanctuary. Various athletic competitions took place and the organization came to an end with large festivities of religious character.




Season and duration of the Olympic Games

The Olympic Games, like the other panhellenic contests, were held once every four years, according to the Greek eight-year calendar. The exact dates of the games were based on the basis of the 28-day lunar month. The games took place during the first full moon after the spring solstice, which coincides with the present day middle of July. This was the hottest period of the year and many athletes found the heat unbearable.

The term "Olympiad" referred both to the time between two Olympic Games and to the days of the games themselves. During two Olympiads, Greeks assembled in various panhellenic festivals that were held at other sanctuaries. The series of the festivals was as follows:

Year	Season	Games
540 BC	end of the summer	55th Olympiad
539 BC	summer	Nemea
538 BC	spring	Isthmia
537 BC	summer	Nemea
536 BC	spring	Isthmia
536 BC	end of the summer	56th Olympiad

The Olympiads were the basis of a national system of dating. Every Olympiad took the name of the athlete who had won the stade race of that year. Later, in the beginning of the 4^th century BC, Hippias of Elis, the sophist, numbered all the Olympiads based on the first one, which took place in 776 BC. The catalogue of the Olympiads was later completed by Aristotle, Eratosthenes, Phlegon of Tralles and Iulius Africanus.

http://olympics.ime.gr/ancient/

From Grease to Greece: Travolta and De Niro on holiday

Swapping the silver screen for golden beaches, Robert De Niro and John Travolta have been in Greece on holiday with their families.

For the stars the economic woes affecting the population seem far away.

Travolta told us: “I feel safe, everywhere we’ve gone is safe, and absolutely cool and relaxed. Everybody is happy and there are no problems. Sometimes the news makes thing look worse than they are, but this has been like a dream.”

De Niro added: “We decided to come to Greece, and I’m so glad we did. It’s great, terrific. I will come back and I will see every island in Greece.. in the next few years. I hope I live 50 years, but I doubt it.”

Art imitates life as the pair will star in the upcoming film ‘Killing Season’ where Travolta plays a European tourist.
http://www.euronews.com/2012/07/26/from-grease-to-greece-travolta-and-de-niro-on-holiday/

Bracelets Gold 18-karat

Summer 2012

Γκεοργκιέφσκι: Σκοπιανοί, οι μεγαλύτεροι παραχαράκτες της ιστορίας

Οι μεγαλύτεροι παραχαράκτες της ιστορίας των Βαλκανίων είναι οι Σλάβοι των Σκοπίων, έγραψε ο πρώην πρωθυπουργός και νυν ηγέτης του VMRO-Λαϊκό Κόμματος των Σκοπίων, Λιούμπτσο Γκεοργκιέφσκι στο βιβλίο του «Αυτός είμαι».

Ο πρώην πρωθυπουργός περιγράφει επίσης τον πόλεμο στο Κοσσυφοπέδιο και άλλες περιφερειακές εξελίξεις, σημειώνει, επίσης, λεπτομέρειες για τον πόλεμο στο Κοσσυφοπέδιο το 1999.

«Η πρώην γενική γραμματέας του Στέιτ Ντιπάρτμεντ , Madeleine Korbel Albright, ζήτησε τότε μέσω των Σκοπίων να επιτεθεί στη Σερβία ακόμη και με επίγειες δυνάμεις», έγραψε ο Γκεοργκιέφσκι.

Αυτές οι λεπτομέρειες του βιβλίου του πρώην πρωθυπουργού των Σκοπίων έχουν σχολιαστεί ευρέως από πολλά μέσα ενημέρωσης τόσο στη Σερβία όσο και στα Σκόπια, αναφέρει αλβανικό δημοσίευμα.