Summer 2004: “Olympic Games, welcome back to Greece!”. Back to the origins. The Athens Games open with this legendary formula and the whole stadium goes up in flames! An open-air party begins. So long awaited, so dreamed of. I’m not in Athens but the energy that comes from there quickly wins over me. I’m in Rome. First year of my internship in gynecology-obstetrics. That day, I was on call. Despite my obligations, I try, as soon as possible, to take advantage of the opening ceremony which is shown on TV in the medical team’s rest room. I am captivated by the rhythm of this “huge celebration for the citizens of the world”. The rhythm is given by Greek drums; a catchy rhythm that I still have in my skin; a heady rhythm that I will always remember!
In the pool which is at the heart of the Athens stadium, a man beats his drum. On the giant screen that rises in front of him, a second musician responds to him from the Olympia stadium. Their percussion brings together the past and the present. At this moment, they reconnect us to our origins! The entire stadium vibrates with this rhythm. The crowd is euphoric. Then a surprise breaks this chaos: the water in the pool catches fire. Five rings form in the flames. They project the Olympic light to the eyes of the whole world! His glimmer of hope shines everywhere! The message is unambiguous: Greece calls on all Nations to uphold the Olympic values that it proudly founded, that of the sacred truce. A universal call for peace! The ceremony continues. A small white boat, a “karavaki”, sets out on the water of the central basin. It is carried by the gentle melody of Hatzidakis and driven by a single sailor. He’s a child. He holds a small blue and white flag, the Greek colors, with which he greets the crowd. Candid captain, he smiles on the whole Earth. Without a word, he speaks to us of the essential: of the joy of being brought together; of his faith in humanity; of this future which belongs to him, too.
20 years later, it all comes back to me all at once. All ! The sincere jubilation in each village, the crazy atmosphere in each square and the authentic joy in each café… the cries for each medal, the pride of all Greeks, and the music which enlivens this popular festival! A celebration that makes a Nation!
The choreography of sacred silence
Spring 2024: “Welcome to Greece”. Back to the origins. The Olympic flame lighting ceremony begins. This time, I’m here. This April 16, I am in Olympia. Sitting between olive trees and officials. We are a few meters from the temple of Hera. In the heart of the original ruins. A familiar voice opens the ceremony with this sentence which echoes 2004. It is Nikos Aliagas. It’s his turn to make the connection. Between Greece and France; between the public and the ritual: the “rustle of sacred silence” is gently heard. In a wish to Zeus and Apollo, the high priestess calls for peace among the peoples then lights the torch. A dove has just split the stadium: the very first Olympic stadium. Over our heads, it flies over 3,000 years of history. And the passing of the baton: the Greek champion, Stefanos Ndoukos passes the flame to the French champion, Laure Manaudou. And the flame begins its journey. I am here, in Olympia. I am here, witnessing this moment. In front of me, a few meters away, a child holds the hand of one of the priestesses. And with the other hand holds an olive branch. His face carries the same innocence, the same hope that I saw on TV twenty years ago. This image moves and disturbs me.
Then the rhythm of the drum hits my eardrum again. Odd. I don’t see any around me. There is only the choreography of sacred silence. But this sound does not leave me. A tear that I can no longer hold escapes me. 2024 makes me relive 2004. Happy reminiscences. Twenty years separate these two moments, but I only live one, at the same moment… even though so many things have changed in my life in the meantime. A chill runs through me: could ubiquity become an Olympic sport?
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou is Secretary of State for Development and International Partnerships