Ambassador Panagopoulos participated in the events of the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (Washington DC, 10/28/2012)

Ambassador Panagopoulos was a Guest of Honor at the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) that took place in Washington DC on Sunday, October 28th. The MCM is currently the fourth largest marathon in the United States and the ninth largest in the world.

In the largest participation in the event’s 37 year history, the Marine Corps Marathon welcomed almost 30,000 participants from every state and 54 countries. Nearly 150,000 spectators attended the event.
Winners received gold and silver wreaths from Ambassador Panagopoulos and Colonel Maxwell, Commander of the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, VA after completing their marathon wins.
At the special press briefing held on Friday, October 26th, Ambassador Panagopoulos pointed out the symbolism and meaning of the Battle of Marathon - timeless standard of Heroism, enduring source of inspiration - an historical event which has become a world symbol for the values of freedom, democracy and virtue.

The Marathon course is the only Olympic sport based on historical foundations named after a specific area, which has been turned into a way of life, with thousands of Marathons organized around the world.