With the global message “sport unites people” the Navarino Challenge united people for the 11th year, on October 13-15, through more than 55 activities and 20 Olympic sports at the W Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino hotels, and Pylos. The event was renewed and offered activities in three hotels, in the city of Pylos, and the wider area of Messinia, implementing additional innovative steps.
Following the purpose of the Olympic Movement, in the presence of Olympians and Paralympians, this year’s Navarino Challenge had more than 3,500 participations, from people of all ages, from 1 month to 85 years old, athletes with disabilities, as well as participants who took part in the activities with their pets, at Costa Navarino and Pylos. With the magnificent Messinian landscape and Navarino Bay as a setting, the great celebration of sports brought together athletes, families and children from 27 countries such as U.S.A., Colombia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Ukraine, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Georgia, Austria, Romania, Albania, and – of course – Cyprus and Greece.
Both amateur and professional athletes participated in the Navarino Challenge, as they all shared the same values. Several major sports personalities and Olympic medalists such as Michalis Mouroutsos, Antigoni Ntrismpioti, Emmanouil Karalis, Giorgos Karagounis joined the event, while participants had the opportunity to also meet Grigoris Polychronidis, Makis Kalaras, Periklis Iakovakis, Anastasia Kostaki, Areti Athanasopoulou, Joe Arlauckas, Konstantine “Dean” Karnazes, Michalis Triantafyllidis, Georgia Kaltsi, Giorgos Lazaridis, Jo Manta, Christina Flampouri and to train with Nikos Gemelos, Dimitris Moros, Mandy Persaki and Efi Chatzigeorgaki.
On Saturday night, a special awards night was held dedicated to the people who have contributed to Greek sports and have written their own history, which was full of memories, emotions, and sports stars. Importantly, this year’s Navarino Challenge established the “Alexandros Nikolaidis Award” in the name of the Greek Olympic medalist, Alexandros Nikolaidis, who passed away prematurely one year ago.
The award was first presented in in the presence of his wife Dora Tsambazi, their daughter, and the Secretary General of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Manolis Kolymbadis, and was given to the Olympian pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis who stands out for his ethics and commitment.
This year’s Navarino Challenge also brought the Navarino Challenge Marathon, in which the Greek-American ambassador of Greek tourism, Constantine “Dean” Karnazes, and ultra-marathon runner Jo Manta, competed. The event was filled with smiles, from hundreds of children who participated in the 1km running route for young people 10-14, and in the 1km running route for children up to 9 years. Specifically, in the 1km race, athletes from the local Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and the Sports Association with disabilities “DiaforoZO” had a dynamic participation. All running races were co-organized with Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.
Wheelchair basketball. Photo: Dimitris Andritsos
Baby and mum swimming. Photo: Elias Lefas
Ntrismpioti and Markoutsis on stage. Photo: Angelos Zymaras
Karagounis with Kyriazis.. Photo: Angelos Zymaras
Emmanuel Karalis during his address. Photo: Angelos Zymaras
Windfoiling. Photo: Elias Lefas
Other than purely sporting events, this year’s Navarino Challenge included volunteering activities, gastronomic delights, and a broader initiation of all participants into the history and the culture of Messinia as a region.
