AEGEAN, proud official supporter of the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011

AEGEAN, proud official supporter of the

Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011,

"Let me win!

But if I cannot win,

Let me be brave in the attempt!"

The Special Olympics Athlete Oath

From June 25 to July 4, Athens will host the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which are organized in accordance with the Olympic Games standards and are held every four years, comprising a major sporting event. These are the only Games in the world, where all participating athletes are winners.

The Flame of Hope for the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011 will be lit on June 9, at the Sacred Site of Pnyx. From there, it will start its journey throughout Greece, Cyprus and Istanbul, carrying with it around the globe the Games' message: "That people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper training and support, enhance their individual abilities and enjoy equally with others the joy of sports. They can prove to society not only that they deserve to be part of it, but that society needs them."

AEGEAN is proud official supporter of the Games and is honored to carry the Flame of Hope to Cyprus, along with the Special Olympics athletes who will participate in the torchlight procession on Friday, June 10. They will return to Athens on June 12 for the round of Greece and will eventually arrive to Istanbul. From there, they will come back to Greece on June 21 and then the Flame of Hope will return to Athens from Rhodes on June 23 on an AEGEAN flight, to travel around Attica and the historical places of Athens. On June 25, the Flame of Hope will be lit at the altar of the Marble Panathenaic Stadium, officially marking the start of the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011.

Theodoros Vassilakis, Chairman of AEGEAN, conveying his best wishes to all Special Olympics athletes, stated: "Your efforts inspires and humbles us. Good Luck!”. AEGEAN does not only earnestly support the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011, but has been at the side of Special Olympics Hellas since the beginning of is operation, supporting the effort the athletes make in order to discover their special abilities.

"ALL TOGETHER" we will applaud the willpower of these extraordinary athletes, who give their own battle to share the joy that sports offer, in an environment of respect and acceptance.