PRESS RELEASE
A Global Celebration: Opening Ceremony of the “8th CSIT World Sports Games for Workers and Amateurs”
Loutraki, 05/06/2025
With a spectacular Opening Ceremony, the “8th CSIT World Sports Games” officially kicked off in Loutraki. “Christos Thodis” Municipal Stadium became a meeting point of cultures, as more than 4,500 athletes and sports enthusiasts from 60 countries participated in the parade and enjoyed the artistic and folkloric program. The event will conclude this coming Saturday (June 7th) with the Closing Ceremony.
The entrance of the participants into the stadium resembled an Olympic Games opening, as athletes proudly marched with their national flags and uniforms reflecting their countries’ colors, turning the parade into a grand celebration where the values of sport merged with global cultures. The words of CSIT President Bruno Molea — “Let the Games begin” — marked the official start of the event.
“The World Sports Games are more than just a competition. They are a festival of friendship that brings people from all over the world together. Amateurs and workers of all ages come together through sport. This event builds bridges between cultures, and sport strengthens peace,” said CSIT President Bruno Molea during his speech.
The World Sports Games are co-organized by the Hellenic Organization for Company Sports and Health, the Municipality of Loutraki–Perachora–Agioi Theodoroi, and the International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation (CSIT), with SPORTCAMP as the operator.
“Friendship, fair play, and team spirit come together in these Games. These are unique sporting experiences that participants will remember for a lifetime. The event is of a high standard, with significant demands,” emphasized the President of the Organizing Committee, Nikos Kerasovitis.
The Governor of the Peloponnese Region, Dimitris Ptochos, highlighted the region’s historical, cultural, and athletic identity, as well as the importance of the event:
“We welcome the World Sports Games — this great celebration of sport and peace — to the hospitable city of Loutraki. For us, this is not just a series of competitions, but a meeting of people, values, and cultures. Peloponnese, a region with a deep historical and cultural identity and a dynamic tourism profile, opens its doors to welcome participants from every continent, age group, and social and professional background. The Region of Peloponnese supports this event, recognizing its value not only for boosting the local economy and promoting our area as a tourist destination, but above all for spreading a global message: that friendship and respect are values that unite all people,” Mr. Ptochos stated in his speech.
For one week, Loutraki will be a global capital of sport and entertainment.
“During these days, Loutraki has become a crossroads of cultures. In these Games, there are no opponents — only fellow competitors. That is the essence of sport. It unites, inspires, uplifts. In this event, we honor not only sport, but also all the values it upholds: solidarity, cooperation, friendship, peace,” emphasized the Mayor of Loutraki–Perachora–Agioi Theodoroi, Giorgos Gionis.
The Opening Ceremony concluded with traditional dances performed by cultural associations of Corinthia, while the music of Zorba the Greek lifted the spirits of all present at Loutraki’s beautiful stadium.
The Games are supported by the Region of Peloponnese, the Municipalities of Corinth, Velo–Vocha, and Tripoli, and the Loutraki Tourism Organization. They are held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs & Sports / General Secretariat of Sports and the Corinth Chamber of Commerce.
Sponsors: Mandrekas S.A. Dairy Products, FILA, Daily Fruits, Loutraki Natural Mineral Water
Media Sponsors: ERT3, Kathimerini, Athina 9.84, Gazzetta
