The European Taekwon-do ITF Championship for all categories, which will end on October 30, started with the opening ceremony held on Monday, October 25, at the New Indoor Gym of Heraklion “Dyo Aorakia”. The Championship is organized by the Hellenic Taekwon-do Federation with the support of the General Secretariat of Sports, the Region of Crete and the Municipality of Heraklion.
The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of the Deputy Minister of Sports, Lefteris Avgenakis, the President of the World Federation, Ri Yong Son, the President of the European Federation, Michael Prewett, and representatives of the Region of Crete, Municipality of Heraklion and local bodies.
The opening ceremony began with greetings from the Presidents of the World and European Federations, the Deputy Mayor of Sports, Kostas Vardavas, and the Regional Councilor George Pitsoulis, followed by the parade of 26 countries, and demonstrations. Also, awards were given by the organizers to the Deputy Minister of Sports, the Presidents of the World and European Federation, the Deputy Mayor of Sports and the Regional Councilor. The awards were given by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Anastasios Valasiadis.
Afterwards, the Deputy Minister of Sports, Lefteris Avgenakis, announced the start of the Championship, welcoming all the missions and the executives of the World, European and Greek Federations. He also wished to all athletes a safe, healthy and victorious return to their home countries, with the hope to leave Greece with the best of impressions for the Cretan hospitality.
The Cretan spirit was also present at the ceremony through traditional dances.
More than 1,000 athletes and coaches from 26 European countries participate in the Championship that takes place in Crete for the first time, while Greece will be represented by about 200 athletes.
The matches will be held daily from 9 in the morning until 6.30 in the afternoon (October 26-30). The entrance is free for the fans in accordance with the protocols that apply to the COVID-19 pandemic.
