Victoria Borwick, London’s Deputy Mayor, receives an olive tree from the City of AthensOn behalf of London, Deputy Mayor Victoria Borwick has received the gift of an olive tree from the City of Athens, to mark a journey of young people’s messages across Europe.
The gift was given as part of the “From Athens to London: Shape Your Future” programme, developed by the City of Athens to encourage young people to share their hopes and concerns for the future. The tree has travelled through Europe as part of this programme and was delivered to City Hall by a Greek delegation, which included Piros Dimas, a gold medal winning Olympic weightlifter.
Victoria Borwick said: “I am delighted to receive this gift on behalf of London from the City of Athens. As London hosts the 2012 Games this summer, it is only fitting we further strengthen our bond with Athens, home of the Olympics, while supporting this wonderful programme that allows young people across Europe the chance to have their voices heard."
Notes to editors
“From Athens to London: Shape your Future’ is an online forum for people aged 16-23 to contribute their ideas and be heard by the European Parliament in Brussels. Organised by the Greek NGO Panellinia Mathitiada, the initiative began in Greece and will travel all around Europe. The Greek delegation consisted of Panagiota Psaraki, President of the Culture, Sports and Youth Organisation for the City of Athens, Piros Dimas, Greek MP and former Olympic gold medallist, Constantinos Nodara, Managing Director, One Team and Nadia Argyropoulou, Business Services Director, One Team. Piros Dimas won Greece’s first Olympic weightlifting Gold since 1904 at the Barcelona Olympics. He also won gold at the Atlanta and Sydney Games, before claiming a bronze at Athens in 2004, at which point he retired. Mayor of London Boris Johnson met with the Mayor of Athens when he visited Greece in May 2012 to collect the Olympic flame.
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