Peace Boat sails for Olympic Truce (July 14, 2004)

The nonprofit Peace Boat departed Tokyo for Athens on Wednesday to deliver “peace” flames from the A-bomb memorials of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the summer Olympic Games.

 The lit torches represent an international appeal for no violence during the Games, which start next month. Peace Boat activists promote tours to bolster world peace, human rights and environmental issues.

 The torches will be presented at an Olympic gala to be held Aug. 14 in the port city or Piraeus near Athens, and will be kept lit throughout the Games. The Olympics end August 29.

Ambassador of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Rodoussakis was present at the port, participating in the ceremony of departure of 900 members of the Peace Boat sailing for Greece, set to arrive on the day of the opening of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games (August 13, 2004).

 The Greek Ambassador wished well to all the participants carrying to Athens the message of Peace and Olympic Truce and intending to join their voices with those of all athletes and visitors who will attend the Games from all over the world.

 It should be mentioned that the Greek Ambassador had sent off another Peace Boat sailing again from the Tokyo port to Piraeus with 900 passengers as well last March 2004.

 All the above members of the Peace Boat were warmly received by Greek people and Greek authorities in Greece. The same enthusiastic welcome is expected to be accorded to the new members of the PEACE BOAT arriving in Greece on the very same day of the opening of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.