Ancient Olympia and Gold Coast establish sister-city pact

The Municipality of Ancient Olympia and the City of the Gold Coast have formally established a sister-city relationship. The agreement was signed in a ceremony held at the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia, the historic birthplace of the Olympic tradition.

The pact aims to foster cooperation in sport, education, and culture. The timing of the agreement is significant as the Gold Coast is set to serve as a co-host city for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The partnership is intended to strengthen ties between Greece and Australia, particularly as the Olympic flame travels from Olympia to Australia in the future.

Distinguished attendees included former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, whose support was noted as instrumental in the initiative. Other officials present were Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Mayor of Ancient Olympia Aris Panagiotopoulos, and the Honorary Consul-General of Greece in Queensland, George Mastrocostas.