Cyprus Olympic House marks 20 years since opening — Cyprus Mail

In Nicosia, Cyprus, the Olympic House is marking 20 years since its official opening. The building, which houses the headquarters of the Cyprus Olympic Committee and the island’s sports federations, opened on September 26, 2006.

As Cyprus Mail reports, the building’s foundation stone was laid on January 12, 2005, and it was officially opened 20 months later. The Cyprus Olympic Committee noted that the project was conceived not only as a new headquarters, but also as an investment in sport, the Olympic spirit and youth.

Project and opening

The architectural project was selected following a nationwide competition. It was developed by architects Eleftheria Sergidou and Vasilis Pasiourtidis. The building was designed around three dimensions of the Olympic ideal: universal, historical and sporting.

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The 2006 opening ceremony in Nicosia was attended by the then president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge; the president of the Cyprus Olympic Committee, Kikis N. Lazarides; and the then president of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos. IOC member Lambis Nikolaou, the then president of Olympic House, Demetris Christofias, and representatives of Cyprus’ political and sporting leadership also took part in the event.

Hub of the sports community

During the ceremony, Papadopoulos and Rogge unveiled a commemorative plaque. An olive tree from Ancient Olympia was also planted on the premises, in the presence of Papadopoulos and the then Greek deputy minister of sports, Giorgos Orfanos. The tree symbolised peace, victory and Cyprus’ connection with the Olympic movement.

Rogge said that he knew of no similar facility among the 203 national Olympic committees operating at that time. Today, the Olympic House accommodates Cyprus’ sports federations, while its conference halls, indoor spaces and outdoor grounds are used for sporting, cultural, educational and social events.