The Panathenaic Stadium received an important recognition for its renewed lighting, which took place after the actions of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, by winning the Casambi Award for Best Project in 2022.

The award for Best Project this year went to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens for the wireless lighting system implemented in order to highlight the historic monument, but also to reduce its environmental footprint.

The Casambi Awards were created as a prize for the best architectural lighting designers, celebrating the many innovative ways in which architectural lighting projects and products have deployed Casambi technology to create an impressive result.

The inauguration of the renewed lighting of the Panathenaic Stadium took place on March 29, 2021, by the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach in a small yet symbolic ceremony attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos.

Today, on the occasion of the award, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos, said: “This award is a huge honor for the Hellenic Olympic Committee but especially for Greece. Contributing to our planet through sport for a more sustainable future is not only our responsibility, but above all our duty. The Panathenaic Stadium will not only stand as an emblematic monument to Olympic history but will also be a commitment to a better future, based on a sustainable development, with peace and solidarity in sports.”

Helen Ankers, a member of the Casambi Awards jury, said: “This striking historic venue has been brought to life. While reducing light pollution, the designers have also been able to bring a special perspective to the stadium and the nature surrounding it – all while constricted to existing infrastructure.”

The jury was impressed, saying:” The lighting design of the Panathenaic Stadium is superbly executed, excellently highlighting the clear geometric shapes of the world heritage site. Casambi control has made it possible to install a state-of-the-art controls system without further damaging the cultural site”. 

The innovative lighting system was designed by George Tellos – Lighting Art and commissioned by Electron. The installation includes over 3,600 LED lamps, features Casambi-enabled DT8 DALI Tunable White with an Electron Elegant Max custom lighting projection system.

The Panathenaic Stadium of Athens was once again filled with children’s voices and laughter, after a long period of inactivity due to the pandemic, as the “Kids Love Sports” program began. A program run by Hellenic Olympic Committee with co-funding from European Union, focusing on refugee children in the wider Attica region.
The program started with the participation of 50 children from the refugee reception center of Ritsona and included a tour of the stadium where the children informed about this great monument of Athens and the history of Modern Olympics. They were also practiced in sport activities under the guidance of Olympic champions and experienced coaches. At the end of the day they received commemorative diplomas and medals.
The children had also the opportunity to learn about the significant role of Greece in the Olympic history and they introduced to the Olympic sport of athletics.

The President of Hellenic Olympic Committee and IOC member, Spyros Capralos, congratulated the stakeholders of the program for the excellent organization and coordination in the first days of its implementation and stated that HOC will continue to support the refugee population by implement the values of the Olympism in their lives.
The program will develop for the next 22 months, giving 4000 refugee children in Attica between the ages of 6 and 12, the opportunity to live this special experience.

The inauguration of the renewed lighting of the Panathenaic Stadium took place on the evening of Monday, March 29, in a simple but emblematic ceremony attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos.
The decision to renew the lighting of the Panathenaic Stadium was taken by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, giving the opportunity to Kallimarmaro to shine even more brightly in its long journey through time and the history of Athens.
The well-known and talented singer Monica opened the ceremony by performing the song “Saving the world” while playing the piano. The performance was followed by the introduction of the renewed lighting with President Thomas Bach announcing the words of Pierre de Coubertin “Olympism calls for light”.
The event, which was organized with full compliance of the safety and health regulations, without the presence of the public, was also attended by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakogiannis, the Deputy Minister of Sports Lefteris Avgenakis, the President of the Olympics and Legacies Committee Chrysanthi Vagena and representing the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Vice President Stelios Angeloudis, the General Secretary Manolis Kolymbadis, the Dean of Panathenaic Stadium Antonis Nikolopoulos and the President of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Kouvelos.
In his speech, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos said: “This historic stadium stands as a bridge uniting the ancient games with the modern Olympic Games while maintaining their timelessness and universality in the eternal journey of time.
Therefore, the legacy that Zappas entrusted to the Hellenic Olympic Committee is of great value and we, the younger ones, have the duty to preserve it. At the same time, it is our duty to continue to highlight the legacy of the Stadium, its role, its importance and the incomparable beauty it reflects.
The renewed lighting that was inaugurated just a few moments ago, offers even more light to our historical monument and to the heart of Athens. I would like to thank all my colleagues at the Hellenic Olympic Committee for the decision to revive the lighting of the Kallimarmaro Stadium, and all those who contributed to the implementation of this idea that fills us with pride. Not only because this historic monument is emerging again, but also because, in that way, we contribute to a sustainable environment by reducing both energy consumption and light pollution.
I strongly believe that the new lights will accompany the journey of the Panathenaic Stadium through time, enlightening more glorious moments in the future, not only for Greek Sports, but also for the city of Athens and our homeland ».
President Bach said: “Greece gave birth to the Olympic Games twice, once in Ancient Olympia and once here, at the Panathenaic Stadium in 1896. Greeks gave to humanity the gift of the Olympic Games and also the gift of Democracy. With the new lighting of the Panathenaic Stadium, this heritage will become even more brilliant and will enlighten the entire world. In this emblematic place, culture, history, and tradition blends with the modern era and the mission of the modern Olympic movement. This mission is to make the world a better place through Sports. In addition to the glow, with the new lighting you also set the example for technology that remains inseparably linked to sustainability. We are proud that the United Nations consider Sports and the Olympic movement as important factors for a sustainable development.
Starting from today, the Panathenaic Stadium will not only stand as a symbol for the Olympic history but also as a commitment, for a better future, with sustainable expansion, with more peace and with greater solidarity in Sports. Let the Panathenaic Stadium shine in the new spirit of Olympism “.
Then, Mr. Spyros Capralos escorted the President of the Hellenic Republic and the President of the International Olympic Committee to the Hall featuring the torches and posters from the modern Olympic Games, located at the back section of the Panathenaic Stadium.
The implementation of the renewed lighting was conducted by George Tellos.

Hellenic Olympic President and IOC Member Spyros Capralos opens the remote 137th IOC Session from the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, home of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
The statement of Mr. Capralos was:
It is with great joy and emotion Ι welcome you today from the Panathenaic Stadium. The stadium where the first Modern Olympic Games took place in 1896 and a landmark of the city of Athens.

Under different conditions, the 137th IOC Session would start right here. But the pandemic that struck the world did not allow us to personally welcome you in Athens and to show you firsthand the Greek hospitality.

However, I would like to personally thank President Thomas Bach and the IOC Executive Board for the decision to open the Session online from here A highly symbolic and honorable move that connects the country where the Olympic Games were born, with the Olympic movement of today.

So, we may not be together today, but I welcome the proposal of the IOC Executive Board for the organization of the 2025 IOC Session in Athens. We hope that with the consent of all of you, we will be able to welcome all IOC members to the Greek capital in 2025.

The Session which starts today is extremely important, as it takes place just a few months prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games. At the same time we will celebrate the election of the President of the International Olympic Committee with the current President Thomas Bach being the sole candidate

Dear Mr President,
I want to thank you for everything you have done for sports and the Olympic movement, always highlighting the important role that our country has in Olympism. Your re-election will help the most, so that we continue the course towards the future, even stronger, even more united, and perfectly adapted to the demands and needs of modern society.

Dear colleagues,
In closing, I would like to wish good luck in the works of the 137th IOC Session. I am sure that with joint efforts, with innovative ideas and with solidarity in our great, global Olympic Family, will come out stronger from the health crisis that may have affected us, but did not defeat us!

In tribute to the 137th IOC Session, and with the IOC permission, we have the honour to raise today the Olympic flag at the Panathenaic Stadium.