The award-winning sports tourism event Navarino Challenge will be held on October 16-18, 2020 presenting new sports activities and experiences for people of all ages, in Messinia, Pylos, and Costa Navarino. Loyal to its global message “sports unite people”, the event will connect people from Greece and abroad, promoting the Olympic values ​​and “fair play”.

The Olympic sport of standing long jump is reviving in Pylos

Navarino Challenge, honoring the birthplace of Kostis Tsiklitiras, the world-famous legend and gold Olympic medalist who was born in Pylos, Messinia, will present the standing long jump activity for the first time, on Saturday, October 17. The European long jump champion, Miltos Tentoglou will be the honoree person and ambassador of this activity. The first Greek athlete to win a gold medal in this sport in European championships along with his coach George Pomaski will provide people of all ages with an opportunity to try out their jumps and attempt to surpass Tsiklitiras’ world record of 3.47m.

In the context of his participation this year, the European champion, Miltos Tentoglou stated: “I am very excited about this event. Standing long jump was one of the most beautiful competitions and it is now considered as one of the best exercises to measure precise jumping. It is also a good opportunity for people to see and experience a real race while being entertained”.

Respectively, the top track and field coach George Pomaski stated: “In such initiatives, we are always willing to participate, in order to honor and never forget the history of sports. Sports endured, stopped wars and rivalries, united continents, and fought racism. Standing long-jump is a very useful exercise for gymnastics, that we even use today because it is an important indicator of the explosiveness of a jumper. It has elements from the long jump. It is important to highlight the region through our participation, as it is the place of origin of the Olympic medalist Tsiklitiras. We must never forget such athletes and we need to preserve our history”.

Pylos Triathlon Kids: Educating young people through sports

Navarino Challenge will include for the first time in its program the highly successful Pylos Triathlon Kids organized by Pylos-Nestor Municipality, on Saturday, October 17. The event includes triathlon races with the participation of children from 4 to 18 years old. The young fans of sports will have the opportunity and the joy to run on 2 beautiful routes, to swim in the picturesque port of Pylos with the background of the historic island of Sfaktiria, in the clear blue waters of the Ionian Sea and to ride a bike in the stunning Messinian small town, in the presence of Olympic medalists and world champions. Children will be divided into four age categories: Super mini: 4-7 years old, category 1: 8-12 years old, category 2: 13-15 years old, and category 3: 16-18 years old.

In the context of the 3 rd Pylos Triathlon Kids and the revival of standing long jump, Pylos- Nestor Mayor, Mr. Panagiotis Karvelas said: “This year, Navarino Challenge is here to remind us once again about the universal ideals of Sports, organizing an even more compelling program. The revival of the standing long jump, in the presence of the prominent athlete Miltos Tentoglou and his coach George Pomaski, is an honor for us, in Pylos-Nestor Municipality, the birthplace of the first Greek Olympic medalist Kostis Tsiklitiras. At the same time, we have the pleasure to enjoy, in the context of Navarino Challenge, the successful, for many years, Pylos Triathlon Kids program, in the presence of our Olympic medalists, where our young athletes will have the opportunity to live unique experiences and values, such as those of & fair play” and “sportsmanship”.

Taking into account the global issue of youth inactivity, the top sports tourism event, exhorts young people into exercise and sports, through the Active Kids program, enriching its schedule with more children’s activities in Pylos.

Morning sea kayaking in the historic Sphacteria

Starting from Poseidonia in the port of Pylos, on Saturday, October 17, a sea kayak tour will be held on the island of Sphacteria for the second consecutive year with the support of Explore Messinia. Participants will paddle towards the inside of the Navarino Bay exploring the coastline of Sphacteria. For entries: welcome (at) exploremessinia.com

Navarino Challenge Beach Volley Tournament

Overlooking the sand dunes and crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, The Dunes Beach will host the Navarino Challenge Beach Volley Tournament for the first time. The Olympic sport of beach volleyball returns with the former international Greek volleyball player and record holder of participations with the Greek National Team, Michalis Triantafyllidis, as its ambassador. On Saturday, October 17, the tournament will include separate categories for men and women, while on Sunday, October 18, the tournament will be mixed. During this weekend, the well-established beach volleyball lessons by Samsung will also be held. All beach volleyball activities are carried out with the support of Triantafyllidis Beach Arena. For registrations and more information: info(at)beacharena.gr

Tournament’s organizer Michalis Triantafyllidis stated: “This year, during the top wellness event Navarino Challenge, we provide Beach Volleyball fans with an opportunity to take part in an exemplary organized tournament, on one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. I could not be happier”.

Accommodation Packages

Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, you may send your email to navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070.

Runners can act promptly and take advantage of the early bird offer on registrations until July 31. Athletes can register in the Half Marathon with a 40% discount and find 3 out about valid early bird offers in all other routes. Children’s race is held at no cost. The event, always prioritizing the participants themselves, offers a refund of their registration costs until August 31.
 

The event continues to innovate for another year by having Samsung Electronics Hellas as its Official Technology Partner. Samsung and Navarino Challenge will offer all participants the opportunity to purchase the Galaxy S20, S20+ & Galaxy Z Flip, with a 20% discount.

Discount on car rentals

The top Greek rental company Avance, as the event’s official car rental partner, provides participants of Navarino Challenge with an opportunity to make their reservation, with a 15% discount on the official price list, for any vehicle of their choice regarding their travel to Messinia during the period of the event. In terms of bookings, participants need to send an email to reserv(at)avance.gr

Navarino Challenge is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, and Active Media Group with the support of Pylos-Nestor Municipality. Navarino Challenge has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

As every year, the event will be held, in accordance with the strict standards set by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the relevant sports Federations. Always having the safety and health of all participants and staff as its main priority, Navarino Challenge will be planned and delivered based on the protocol of races, which will ensure public health and safety of all parties involved.

Official technology partner: Samsung

Official sponsor: Vikos Natural Mineral Water

Official sports supplier: Luanvi

Official supporters: Pylos-Nestor Municipality, Poseidonia, Karalis Beach Hotel

Official beauty partner: Messinian Spa

Official shoe partner: On

Partner: Fysiotek Sports Lab

Official car rental partner: Avance

Premium media partner: 24MEDIA

Athletic partners: Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club

CSR Partners: Captain Vasilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation, Karkinaki, Dogs’ Voice, Fashion Targets Breast and Prostate Cancer

Assisted by: VitaNTravel, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Lifeguard Patrol, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Target Security, Pilia Express

Sports production: Active Media Group

Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell #westincostanavarino

Photo Credit: Progame.sa

 

If you had our weather you’d live most of your life outdoors too. From peripatetic ancient philosophers to today’s summer concerts and fragrant open-air cinemas, in this fifth episode, let's roam far and wide to unpack the street theatre known as “everyday Athenian life”. We’ll also explore why the protest march is inextricably woven into the modern fabric of Athens; listen to the secret confessions of a street artist; and hear the tale of the city’s most famous street dog—the Che Guevara of canines.

 

Lamda Development announced that on December 20, just six months after the listed construction company signed the contract for the development of the plot at the old Athens airport, it will open a part of the Elliniko Metropolitan Park to the public.

The “Experience Park” covers an area in excess of 70,000 square meters and constitutes an integral part of the Metropolitan Park. Five hundred trees have been planted on the site alongside 55,000 other plants – all Mediterranean species.

It further features a water fountain, a children’s playground, and the Zen Garden, ideal for relaxation.

It also has a Christmas tree, which will remain in place until January 9.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

In a world that often emphasizes conformity and fitting into various molds and stereotypes, teaching our children the importance of self-love is more than necessary. In an era dominated by social media where comparison is just a click away, it’s more crucial than ever to empower young people to embrace their uniqueness. We must teach them that everyone is different in their own beautiful way, and this very diversity brings color to a life meant to be vibrant, not dull, monochrome, or gray.

Self-Love: The Cornerstone of Psychological Well-Being

We often confuse self-love with narcissism, but while the latter is a personality disorder, the former is the foundation of a healthy and fulfilling life. Self-love is not about self-obsession or vanity; rather, it is essential for cultivating a positive relationship with oneself.

Numerous studies have revealed the tangible benefits of self-love. Individuals who cultivate self-love tend to have higher self-esteem, emotional well-being, and improved overall welfare. When people love and accept themselves, they see themselves as valuable, capable, and worthy of happiness, which in turn enhances their confidence in various aspects of life.

Most importantly, self-love plays a critical role in strengthening mental resilience. When children love themselves, they develop an inner strength and confidence that helps them respond to life's challenges. They become less dependent on external validation, making them more adaptable and better equipped to handle setbacks.

Teaching Self-Love to Our Children

Be Role Models: Children learn by observing the adults in their lives. If we love ourselves and demonstrate it through strategies like positive self-talk, our children will follow suit.

Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe environment for children to express their thoughts and feelings without fear. Encourage them to talk about their insecurities and fears, and provide empathetic, non-judgmental support.

Promote Self-Discovery: Every child needs to embark on a journey of self-discovery, and the role of every parent and guardian is to be a companion, not a captain. Children will discover their interests, likes and dislikes, and dreams for the future on their own. We should encourage them to engage in activities that bring them joy and a sense of fulfillment, celebrating their achievements, no matter how small.

Limit Negative Influences: Childhood is generally a very fragile period, and a child’s self-perception can be negatively affected by external factors like social media. Talk to children and teach them to use critical thinking to reject unrealistic beauty standards and ideals of success.

Provide Unconditional Love: Attachment theory highlights the importance of a secure emotional base from which children explore the world and, by extension, themselves. Remind children that your love is unwavering and not dependent on their achievements or behavior. Only then will they learn to love themselves, day by day.

Incorporating these strategies into our parenting is vital for instilling the value of self-love in children. This lays the foundation for a more confident and emotionally healthy future.

As we embark on this journey together, we must remember that self-love is not just about feeling good about ourselves. It is an ongoing process that equips us with the courage and resilience to face difficulties, and it is the only way to achieve true happiness!

Rakomelo is a Greek mixed alcoholic drink.  It is a digestive spirit that's high in powerful antioxidants, like flavonoids, and it's been used as a home remedy for a sore throat or cough for centuries.

Rakomelo, a delectable blend of Raki (Crete's traditional spirit) and locally made honey, is the ideal alcoholic beverage to enjoy during the harsh winter months. It's even better when spiced up with cloves and cinnamon. During the summer, some people drink it at room temperature or even ice-cold, but the warm version is more popular.

Rakomelo's history dates back to the 12th century when the Peloponnese peninsula was occupied by the Franks. Others, though, place its story on  Crete and the Cyclades.

Rakomelo combines natural honey in complete harmony with the strong raki spirit, while cinnamon and clove buds bring the final touch to a distinctive and outstanding flavor, regardless of the real narrative.

Apart from being served Rakomelo in a cafe, bar, or taverna, you can buy this bottled in shops that sell traditional Greek products, especially Cretan ones.

Ingredients
    •    1lt of raki or tsikoudia (grape pomace drink)
    •    4-5tbs of honey
    •    2 cinnamon sticks
    •    4-5 cloves

Directions
Place the ingredients in a pot and boil them on a low fire, while stirring continuously. As soon as they boil sufficiently, turn off the flame and leave the rakomelo covered for approximately another 10’ to absorb the flavoring. Remove the cinnamon and cloves. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a bottle.

Recipe by iCookGreek.