DMT
Geregistreerd op: 08 Mei 2018
Berichten: 186
|
 Geplaatst: 24-05-2018 06:52:28 Onderwerp: By Alexia Vlachou |
 |
|
|
By Alexia Vlachou
ATHENS Justin Faulk Hurricanes Jersey , April 23 (Xinhua) -- The southern coast of the Athens Riviera was flooded with runners of all ages for the 8th International Poseidon Athens Half Marathon on Sunday, all in a bid to raise awareness for diabetes and obesity.
In a record turnout for the event, more than 4,000 people from five continents and 42 countries and regions participated in a half marathon and parallel racing events, including a charity and kids' route, a power walking event and a music marathon.
"It's for a good cause, and I think that this is something that everybody should take part in," a runner named Anna told Xinhua.
For Scot Stewart Crawford, who joined the half marathon for the second time, the experience was rewarding. "Running is good for our health and our mental capability," he said.
The event is held under the auspices of the Municipality of Palaio Faliro, in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Diabetes Federation.
"We want all people to participate. Not only professional runners, but amateurs as well. We did our best to get more people out of their houses to start practicing outdoors. I think we succeeded. It is a day of celebration and love," Dionysis Hatzidakis, the mayor of Palaio Faliro city, told Xinhua.
The Poseidon Half Marathon gave the opportunity to all participants, from children to pensioners, to enjoy a fresh sea breeze running along the most beautiful spots of the Greek capital's southern coastline.
"The route is magnificent. Participants can make their way past Olympic venues, the Ilissos and Kifissos rivers' estuaries, the Naval Museum, which is housed on the battleship of Averof and Flisvos Park which is safe and open to all," said Yiannis Fostiropoulos, deputy mayor of Palaio Faliro, adding that they hoped to invite more Chinese runners to next year's event.
Its appeal has already expanded beyond Greece's boundaries, and organizers hope that it will evolve into a significant highlight of the marathon calender the coming years.
"We want through simple and interesting events to allow people to have a nice time. Despite the economic crisis, Greeks are hospitable and ready to welcome everyone who wants to visit our country," Fostiropoulos added.
With the phrase "Run and walk. Give value to your steps! Act against diabetes and obesity!" as its motto, the half marathon aims to promote healthier lifestyles.
"The race is dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes, a global epidemic of our century that concerns all countries across the world. 70 percent of amputations are linked to diabetes," Kostas Liapis, General Coordinator of the Poseidon Athens Half Marathon, told Xinhua.
Diabetes in conjunction with obesity has exploded during the recent years due to the sedentary lifestyles.
According to the latest data by the Hellenic Diabetes Federation, in Greece, 10 percent of the population suffers from diabetes.
The most worrying fact is that the number of people with diabetes has quadrupled over the past 30 years in Greece, and type one (or inherited) diabetes has increased by 3 percent every year in children and adolescents. In addition, type two (or acquired) diabetes is increasingly affecting younger children.
Xi inspects PLA Southern Theater Command, vows to build strong army
China's passenger aircraft C919 passes 4th high-speed taxiing test
Macron, Le Pen advance to French presidential election runoff
In pics: Awarding ceremony of Tiantan Award for BJIFF
China's passenger aircraft C919 passes fourth high-speed taxiing test
China's first cargo spacecraft successfully docks with space lab
Pigeon pair giant panda cubs named "Ban Ban", "Yue Yue"
Graphics shows launch procedure of China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles is proud to be a three-time Olympics host and to be part of the Olympic movement, Gene Sykes, CEO of LA 2028, Los Angeles' Olympic organizing committee, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
"We are very proud of the fact that we are a three-time Olympics host. That proves that the United States and Los Angeles in Southern California in particular feel very much part of Olympic and Paralympic movement that other countries around the world show respect for and enthusiasm for," said Sykes.
"As a three-time Olympics host, we intend to make sure that all of the participants feel that they are welcome and have a great experience with us," he added.
The Los Angeles Council voted unanimously on August 11 to approve the contracts signed by the city government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. It's an important move for Los Angeles to lock the award of being host of the 2028 Summer Games, which is scheduled to be announced with 2024 Olympics host city, Paris, together by IOC on September 13 in Peru.
"The Olympics and Paralympics are very popular in Los Angeles. Deliberately we had the Games in 1932, and 1984 as well. And We are looking forward now to the 2028 Olympic Games," said Sykes.
Public support for hosting the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles is overwhelming, even if it means waiting for eleven years, according to a survey conducted in July by Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, California. Some 83 percent of residents in Los Angeles County said they want L.A. to host the Olympics in 2028 in the survey.
Sykes noted that there is tremendous Olympic enthusiasm in the second largest city of the United States.
"Because of the experience this community had in 1932 and 1984, expectation of people here are very high," he said. "The organizers have always said our community can bring things to the Olympic movement that other cities may not bring."
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged. |
|
