Gustavo Marcos, a young man from Olho, represented Portugal at the meeting that brought together national and international Olympic directors and officials from around 180 countries at the International Olympic Academy, in Olympia, Greece, between 11 and 18 May. The founder of the Quelfes Games and member of the board of directors of the Olympic Academy of Portugal was eventually chosen to deliver the final speech at the seminar on "Olympic Education", on behalf of all participants, which was praised.
“Deeply inspiring” words, which were considered by Professor Konstantinos Georgiadis, dean of the International Olympic Academy and superintendent, as “the best speech given in that institution”.
«With the aim of reflecting on the great challenges of current Olympism and advocating solutions that could be sent to the highest levels of the International Olympic Committee, Portugal, represented by the young Olympian, was integrated in the «English 1» working group, together with the Mexico, China, Taipei, Sudan, El Salvador, Qatar, Puerto Rico, Turkey and Germany», announced the Chamber of Olhão, in a press release.
Among the recommendations issued (which included the reinforcement of preventive action in the fight against doping or the establishment of financial rules for the processes of candidacy and organization of the Olympic Games), Gustavo Marcos, representing Portugal, «suggested the fundamental importance of promote Olympism as a philosophy of life, capable of being embraced by anyone, at any age, regardless of their origin, race, religion, political or sexual orientation. In this process, it was also suggested to invest in social, cultural and environmental actions that reinforce the image of the Olympic Movement among the population».
In the end, at the proposal of Australia, Finland, New Zealand and the United States of America, he spoke on behalf of all those present at Olympia. “Olympism is a cause that inspires us to fight our deepest fears. Which helps to support the most challenging situations. And also, even when it seems impossible, to triumph», was one of the messages left by Gustavo Marcos.
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