A Permanent Site for the Olympic Games- The Greek Proposals of Constantine Karamanlis

Evangelos Albanidis1, Robert Barney2, & Nikolaos Choutas1

1Democritus University of Thrace, 2Western Ontario University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gather and process data relevant to the Greek proposals for a permanent site of the Olympic Games submitted by Constantine Karamanlis in 1976 and 1980. More specifically, we tried to study the background leading to these proposals as well as the acceptance they had by the international press and the political platform. The Constantine Karamanlis foundation and the Archive of James Worrall provided us with the greatest number of primary sources such as the archive and the proceedings of Olympic Congresses as well as a big number of news paper’s articles. Confrontation between the two super powers and the recurring boycotts caused the particular proposal to come in the C. Karamanlis’ proposals. The second proposal was better planned and substantiated since it recommended specific location which would in fact acquired a neutral and inviolable character. The USA exploited the idea of a permanent site in 1980 in order to appear worldwide that they do have an alternative proposal regarding the future of the Games and urged C. Karamanlis to re-submit his proposal.

Key words: Olympic Games, Constantin Karamanlis, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Permanent site