Rome, Italy: The ceremony of lighting the “Fire of Peace” took place in the Mercati di Traiano, the oldest historical social complex, 53 days before the opening of the European Winter Youth Olympic Festival, “Bakuriani 2025,” on December 19, in Rome.
Leaders of the European Olympic Committees, Georgian Eron Olympic Committee, Organizing Committee of “Bakuriani-2025”, Georgian Ministry of Culture and Sports, Italian National Olympic Committee, Italian Ministry of Sports and Youth, as well as young athletes and members of ensemble “Basiani” participated in this symbolic and emotional event.
The ceremony was led by the famous Italian athlete, Olympic Games and World Champion in Swimming Massimiliano Rosolino, who, after the introductory speech, invited Spiro Capralos, on stage. He emphasized the symbolic meaning of the “fire of peace”, and the special role of the Olympic movement in the modern world, and expressed confidence that the Youth Olympic Festival in Georgia will be held at a high level.
Representatives of the Italian Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Italian National Olympic Committee and the Municipality of Rome addressed the gathered community.
Then it was the turn of guests from Georgia. President of the National Olympic Committee of Georgia Leri Khabelov, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of “Bakuriani-2025” Mamuka Khabareli and First Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports of Georgia Shalva Gogoladze spoke.
As SEOK President Leri Khabelov noted, “For several years, Georgia has been preparing eagerly to host the European Winter Youth Olympic Festival.” Getting ready with a lot of responsibility. Preparing to give a real sports present to young athletes from 46 European countries.
In this process supported by the country’s government, together with the National Olympic Committee of Georgia and the organizing committee of the festival, municipal services and sports federations, our whole sports community is actively involved. Georgia is looking forward to the appearance of the “Fire of Peace” first in Tbilisi, then in the regions of the country, and finally in Bakuriani, where on February 9, the fire from the eternal city will be extinguished. We already have the experience of successfully organizing the 2015 Summer Olympic Festival. I want to assure you that Bakuriani 2025 will also be successful. “
After his speech, Spiro Capralos handed over the symbol of the Youth Olympic Festival – the olive tree to Leri Khabelov, and then invited the gathered community to the open space, where the Georgian song performed by the ensemble “Basiani” lit the fire of peace.
“Mamuka Khabareli passed the torch, and he, in his turn, handed it to skater Nika Egadze – the bronze medalist of the 2017 European Winter Youth Olympic Festival and the young mountaineer-skier Anastasia Mirianashvili. This is how the journey of “Fire of Peace” started from Italy to Georgia.
