By Emily Goddard

7,000 school children from Athens took part in the NOA educational programme ©HOC The Hellenic Olympic Academy has hosted the 13th edition of its educational programme "Fair Play" at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.

Some 7,000 school children from Athens took part in the event, which saw them meeting a number of Greek Olympic and world medallists, and allowed them to take part in archery, athletics, rhythmic gymnastics, football, weightlifting, fencing, handball, taekwondo and trampolining.

Among the athletes visiting on the day were London 2012 fencer and European silver medallist Vassiliki Vougiouka, Sydney 2000 rhythmic gymnastics bronze medallist Eirini Aindili and Atlanta 1996 weightlifting silver medallist Valerios Leonidis.

"It is very important for the children to get to know the Olympic sports and for us to promote Olympism and the Olympic ideals," said Vougiouka, who finished in fifth place in the women's individual sabre event at the London Games.

"I am truly glad to be here among so many children to teach them my sport, fencing."

Children attending the event could take part in the sports of archery, athletics, rhythmic gymnastics, football, weightlifting, fencing, handball, taekwondo and trampoline ©HOCChildren attending the event could take part in the sports of archery, athletics, rhythmic gymnastics, football, weightlifting, fencing, handball, taekwondo and trampoline ©HOC


Also in attendance on the day was Deputy Sport and Culture Minister John Hadrian and Olympiacos FC President Evangelos Marinakis.

"We must continuously try to bring our children closer to sports," Hellenic Olympic Academy President Isidoros Kouvelos said.

"It is not only the exercise but the values they are taught, especially the Olympic values, that are of great importance in our lives."

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