Preparations are underway for the Dakar 2026 torch relay. The Hellenic Olympic Committee has announced the name of the first relay runner: Eleni Iakovaki, the European junior champion in the 400 meters. The president of the COH, Isidoros Kouvelos, personally informed him of the news. In many ways, you embody the excellence we believe in, and you can be a role model for all young people. " he assured him. The 17-year-old athlete will carry the torch September 10th at the Panathenaic Stadium.
Before that, she will participate in a few days in the World Junior Athletics Championships in Eugene (United States). Eleni Iakovaki was chosen for this particular role because she best embodies the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games, adds the chairman of the Olympic torch relay committee, Thomas Tokas. An athlete of the new generation, she has already proven that the greatest successes are achieved through hard work, perseverance and dedicationand that its successes are accompanied by ethics, modesty, unwavering commitment to its objectives and absolute respect for the values of the Olympic Movement. »
