Nothing is accidental. The saying that there is no such a thing as a random coincidence is true. So, in order to verify this saying, the Hellenic Judo Federation which is highly appreciated and is considered as one of the most important ‘partners’ of the IJF, got the confirmation for it.
During the prize giving celebration for the top athletes, officials and Clubs of 2007, Yiannis Ioannidis, Deputy Minister of Culture and in charge of sports issues, announced that Greece and IJF undertook the Junior World Championships which will be held in the Peace & Friendship Stadium in 2009. The State verified the undertaking of the event by IJF as it was announced by the famous ‘fair-haired’ of Greek sports.
‘The Hellenic Judo Federation will organize the 15th Junior World Championships in October, at the Peace & Friendship Stadium. It is a great opportunity for the people to get to know even more the sport that in 2004 gave Greece a gold medal’ said Yiannis Ioannidis when he announced the event, a statement that gave joy to the sports people present .
It should be reminded that from the following year all the categories of the sport in World Championships will be held annually and not every two years as it is now (e.g. the men categories in odd years).
Evangelos Soufleris: We will meet the demand…
‘This event is of great importance given the fact that a world championship is organized in Greece after the Olympic Games. It gives us great pride, because no major championships have been held in our country since 2004…’ was Mr. Soufleris’ comment.
‘The championship will promote our country. The best athletes of the present and of the future will compete in Greece, and it is my belief that it will be a spark for young people to take up this intellectual sport. The people of the Federation feel happy and honored for the undertaking of the Championship, since never before have we organized such a major event. The Olympic Games concerned all the sports. At the same time, my partners and I strongly believe that with the on-going support of the State, we will meet the demands of the spectators, the athletes, the IJF and, of course, the history of Hellenic judo…’
THE VENUE
Peace and Friendship Stadium
The Peace and Friendship Stadium, known as S.E.F. after its Greek name (Stadio Irinis & Filias – Greek: Στάδιο Ειρήνης και Φιλίας) is an indoor arena located in Faliro that hosted indoor volleyball at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The arena was opened in 1985. It had previously hosted various major international events, including the Final tournament of the 1987 Men`s European Basketball Championships and preliminary games of the 1998 FIBA World Basketball Championships.
Renovations for the Olympics commenced in April 2002 and were completed on June 30, 2004. The new stadium was officially opened on August 11, 2004, shortly before the opening of the games. The venue current seating capacity is 12,171 seats, while the regular capacity was 14,095 seats before the 2004 Summer Olympics renovation.
It is built right opposite Karaiskaki Stadium, on the seafront. The arena is the regular home court of Olympiacos basketball club. It also hosted:
BASKETBALL – World Championships preliminary phase (1998), European Championships (1987), European Champions Cup Final (1985) and Final-4 (1993), CupWinners` Cup Final (1989)
VOLLEYBALL – Olympic Tournament men/women (2004), World Championships (1994), European Championships (1995), Teams European Cup Final-4 (1992 & 1993), Cup Winners’ Cup Final-4 (1996), Top Teams Cup Final-4 (2005)
ATHLETICS – European Indoor Championships (1985)
WRESTLING – World Cup (1988) and Championships (1999), European Championships (1986)
GYMNASTICS – World Championships (1991), European Championships (1990)
WEIGHTLIFTING – World Championships (1999)
INFORMATION
BUILT IN: 1985 (Latest redevelopment in 2004)
CAPACITY: 10.520 (Athletics), 11.390 (basketball, volleyball e.t.c), 14.095 (concerts, conventions and exhibitions).
LOCATION: The Peace and Friendship Stadium is located in Piraeus, on the Faliro coastal zone (2 km to Piraeus centre, 10 km to Athens and 32 km to the airport).
Ψ Access by car – The arena is on the coastal Posidonos Avenue, just as you enter Piraeus. The arena is on the coastal Posidonos Avenue, just as you enter Piraeus.
Ψ Access by bus – All city-buses from Athens to Piraeus stop near the arena, either on the coastal avenue (get off at “Stathmos ISAP”) or on Pireos Street (“Elais”). INFO: All city-buses from Athens to Piraeus stop near the arena, either on the coastal avenue (get off at “Stathmos ISAP”) or on Pireos Street (“Elais”). INFO: www.oasa.gr
Ψ Access by Metro – Line 1 to «Faliro» station, right outside the arena. INFO: Line 1 to «Faliro» station, right outside the arena. INFO: www.isap.gr
Ψ Access by tram – The terminus of tram lines 1 (from Athens) and 3 (from Glyfada) is “SEF”, at the arena. INFO: The terminus of tram lines 1 (from Athens) and 3 (from Glyfada) is “SEF”, at the arena. INFO: www.tramsa.gr