Media Releases

Rosa Mota promotes Save the Dream in Greece

Marathon, Greece; 7th May 2015:

Rosa Mota, Olympic champion and winner of the first ever Women’s Marathon in Athens in 1982, returned to the location of her first historic Marathon victory and birthplace of the modern Olympic Games to represent Save the Dream at the 2015 ISF World School Educational Games.

As part of Save the Dream’s mission to promote and protect the core values of sport in young people around the world, the Portuguese Marathon legend took part in a variety of activities at the 2015 ISF World School Educational Games to celebrate the values of sport and inspire young people towards a society where sport is free from corruption and discrimination.

In particular, Mota attended the opening ceremony of the Games, as well as visiting the Marathon Race Museum – situated at the birthplace of the first ever Marathon in 1896 – to donate the ‘Greatest female marathon runner of all time’ trophy awarded to her by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) in 2012.

The trophy was donated in the presence of Mr. Ilias Psinakis Mayor in the historical city of Marathon and will be added to a special collection of Marathon memorabilia at the Marathon Race Museum.

During her visit, Mota also joined the Greek Olympic Medallist, Klelia Pantazi, and Constaninos Filis, Director of the International Olympic Truce Center, to address the group of international students on the educational values of sport and to highlight the importance of sport as a tool for peace.

Speaking of her involvement at the 2015 ISF World School Educational Games, Rosa Mota said:

”As a Save the Dream Ambassador, I am honoured to work alongside the ISF to preserve the purity of sport as well as promoting the values of sport to young athletes taking part in this year’s ISF World School Educational Games.

”I owe all I am to sport and I think I am a better citizen thanks to sport. I am excited to have shared my personal experiences with the young athletes in this place where my career as a Marathon runner begun and educate them about sports core values and the lasting benefits it can have it can have on their lives.

”This is why I pledge my full support and commitment to Save the Dream and feel it is essential to promote its message to young athletes, especially those here today in Marathon, Greece – a place which has had a huge impact on my life and the person I am today.

Pedro Velazquez, Director Social Innovation and Empowerment, ICSS concluded:

”As one of the largest international school sports events in the world, the ISF World School Educational Games provides a unique opportunity for Save the Dream to engage young people and educate them about the core values of sport.

”As one of most iconic athletes, Rosa has already inspired many young people around the world to take up sport through her incredible achievements in marathon running.

”At Save the Dream, we believe it is important that our ambassadors embody the spirit of what Save the Dream represents and hope that today’s activities have inspired young people around the world to pass on the baton to their friends and protect the values of sport for a future generation of athletes.