The relocation of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation to the major redevelopment at Ellinikon, announced last June, was formalised today with the signing of a co-operation agreement between the State, the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation, OAKA, EAKN Agios Kosmas and LAMDA Development.
The co-operation agreement was signed in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis by Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis, LAMDA Development chief executive Odysseas Athanasiou, Hellenic Gymnastics Federation president Vassilis Tsolakidis, OAKA president Ioanna Batsou and EAKN Agios Kosmas management committee president Ioannis Papadimitriou.
The agreement sets out the framework for new, modern sports facilities for the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation in Hangar B at the former Ellinikon airport, providing a modern training and development environment for athletes across all gymnastics disciplines.
Aircraft Hangar B (Hangar B) has been designated a monument of modern cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture. Using this historic building as the new headquarters of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation reflects LAMDA’s commitment to preserving and showcasing the area’s historical heritage by reusing landmark buildings, giving them a new lease of life and a modern role while maintaining their connection to the area’s past.
This development marks another important step in LAMDA Development’s efforts to strengthen the country’s sports infrastructure, as well as its commitment to upgrading sports facilities and the overall sporting experience. It also highlights The Ellinikon’s role as a destination for sport, wellbeing and quality of life, with facilities serving both organised sport and the general public.
Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, who is coordinating the Government’s initiatives to accelerate the Ellinikon redevelopment, said: “Last June, I announced a solution for relocating the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation. Today, with the signing of the relevant agreement, what I announced has been made official.
The Federation will have new, modern facilities in Hangar B at Ellinikon, once the necessary works have been completed and approvals obtained. In the meantime, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics athletes will be temporarily accommodated at OAKA so they can continue their training without disruption.
With this agreement, we are combining progress on the largest investment currently under way in Greece with improved facilities for our athletes. This is the effort I have taken on to coordinate on behalf of the Government: overcoming any obstacles that arise so that the Ellinikon project can move forward steadily and quickly”.
Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis said: “The Ministry of Sports, together with Lamda, is creating the ‘Home of Gymnastics’ at the Ellinikon site, a modern training venue that will be made available to the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation for the next 30 years, meeting the needs of our national teams. We are taking a substantive step for Greek gymnastics, which has given us unforgettable moments and major achievements. We are ensuring that our national teams can continue training without disruption, with scope for the sport to grow and develop further.
With the ‘Home of Gymnastics’ and the more than 858 sports projects we are carrying out across Greece, with a total budget exceeding €1bn, we have turned Greece into a sports construction site.
We are investing in modern sports facilities and creating better conditions for our athletes”.
LAMDA Development chief executive Odysseas Athanasiou said: “We are delighted that the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation, which has produced many Olympians for Greece, will be based here at Ellinikon, in a historic building that is a monument of the country’s modern cultural heritage.
Our joy is even greater as we see Ellinikon gaining momentum and coming to life day by day. Our promise to create a new place that is open and accessible to all is becoming reality”.
Olympian and three-time world champion in the rings event, Eleftherios Petrounias, who is in Rotterdam to compete at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, said: “I would like to express my warm and sincere thanks to LAMDA Development, the Greek Government, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis for their contribution to advancing and delivering the important project to build a new artistic gymnastics centre at Ellinikon. The signing of the agreement is an important step for the future of Greek gymnastics and the creation of modern sports facilities that will give our athletes better conditions for training, development and preparation for major international competitions.
I hope construction of the new gymnasium at Ellinikon will mark the start of a new era for Greek gymnastics, giving athletes the facilities they deserve and creating new opportunities for future generations”
After the signing ceremony, participants visited Hangar B, where the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation’s new facilities will be developed, and were briefed on the project’s design and implementation timetable.