Media
A most valuable addition to the ITTF Museum arrived by courier on the morning of Friday 15th September 2006; it was the Torch from the Athens Olympic Games 2004.

The donation was made possible thanks to the efforts of Emmanuel Kolibadis, the President of the Hellenic Table Tennis Association; the Torch will be displayed in the Olympic section of the ITTF Museum.

“I am extremely happy to add this important torch to our Olympics exhibit, where it will be a constant reminder of the great success of the table tennis events at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games”, said Chuck Hoey, the ITTF Museum Curator. “Emmanuel Kolibadis has set an impressive example with this generous donation and on behalf of the global table tennis community I convey heartfelt gratitude for his kind support of the ITTF Museum.”

Visit
Emmanuel Kolibadis visited the ITTF Headquarters in Lausanne earlier in the year to see Jordi Serra, ITTF Executive Director. During the visit Chuck Hoey gave Emmanuel a conducted tour of the Museum; on display is the torch from the Seoul Olympic Games 1988.

The torch is on loan from the Olympic Museum.

Suggestion
Chuck Hoey, never slow in trying to acquire more items of interest for the remarkable collection in Lausanne, suggested that it would be rather splendid if the Athens Olympic Torch could be on display.

Emmanuel Kolibadis took the hint and just over a week ago he contacted Chuck Hoey to advise that he had been successful in acquiring the torch. The Curator was rather pleased!

Wonderful Acquisition
“It’s marvellous, it really adds to the exhibition”, enthused Chuck Hoey. “I can only hope that this torch will inspire other Olympics host nations since 1988 to help us complete the exhibit with torches from their Olympic Games.”

Well Emmanuel Kolibadis came good; doubtless Chuck Hoey with his debonair charm will persuade others; in the meantime grateful thanks to Greece, thanks to Emmanuel Kolibadis, a splendid gesture.