Navarino Challenge: ‘Sports Unite People’ for a 7th Year in a Row

Silver Olympic medalist and world champion, Spyros Gianniotis at the picturesque harbor of Pylos (photo by Elias Lefas)

This article is brought to you by Active Media Group

Olympic athletes and prominent sports personalities from all over the world, on October 11-13, will gather at Costa Navarino, in Messina, for the 7th Navarino Challenge sports tourism event.

Held for the seventh consecutive year, the Navarino Challenge will be attended by Greek basketball champion Nick Galis and Olympic silver swimming champion Spyros Gianniotis.

“The 7th Navarino Challenge follows, as every year, the ideals of the Olympic Movement, which is to educate youth through sports, without discrimination and in keeping with the Olympic spirit of fair play. Messinia has started spreading the message ‘Sports unite people’ around the world,” an announement said.

Open water swimming in Pylos

On Saturday October 12, amateur and professional athletes can swim alongside silver Olympic medalist and world champion in open water swimming, Spyros Gianniotis, at the picturesque harbor of Pylos, at the site of the critical naval battle that led to Greece’s independence. The open water swimming race by Vikos, approved by the Hellenic Swimming Federation, covers a unique 1-mile (1.6 km) route charted by Nikos Gemelos, the Greek National coach who has given us countless Olympic and world-class honors in open water swimming.

Enjoy beautiful snapshots from last year’s competition on the following video:

Coastal rowing for the first time at “Navarino Challenge”

On Saturday October 12, a coastal rowing relay race and demonstration will be held for the first time at the historic Navarino bay under the auspices of the Hellenic Rowing Federation in the presence of Greek and twice Olympic medalist in lightweight double sculls competition, Vassilis Polymeros (federation’s curator of national teams), who will be honored at this year’s event.

Activities for parents and children at The Dunes Beach

The Dunes Beach offers peace and tranquility as well as sporting opportunities for participants at the Navarino Challenge.

Beach volley lessons by Samsung from Triantafyllidis Beach Arena with Michalis Triantafyllidis (photo by Elias Lefas)

Following the enthusiastic participation of children at the beachathlon activities last year, this year parents get to join in the fun too! Under the expert supervision of 400m. obstacle Olympic and World Champion, Periklis Iakovakis, will guide 6-13 year olds and their parents through a series of track and field competitions.

Beach volleyball returns this year with the former Greek national volleyball player who holds the record of appearances in the Greek National Team, Michalis Triantafyllidis. During the weekend, beach volley lessons by Samsung, as well as the Samsung King & Queen Beach Volley Tournament by Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, will be held with Michalis Triantafyllidis.

To wrap up, the advantages of exercise and well-being will benefit children and grown-ups who will be choosing beach yoga by Messinian Spa from FitnessArt of Dimitris Moros, with instructor Katiana Priovolou.

Enjoy some unique moments from the activities to be held at The Dunes Beach in the following video:

Accommodation Packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino

Navarino Challenge participants who have booked their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, taking part in the main events (running, swimming) will be able to also enjoy the full programme that includes more than 30 sporting activities.

Beachathlon for parents and children with Olympic and World Champion, Periklis Iakovakis (photo by Mike Tsolis)

The program includes: boccia with the gold Paralympic medalist Grigoris Polychronidis, pilates lessons with Mandy Persaki, high intensity training for people of all ages by Dimitris Moros & FitnessArt, indoor cycling (team teaching) for people of all ages by the trainer Tess Arlauckas and Dimitris Moros, powered by FitnessArt, baby swimming lessons for kids up to 3 years old by Swim Academy & Red Swim Academy, aqua aerobic lessons by Swim Academy & Red Swim Academy, climbing lessons by the Navarino Outdoors team, bike ride in Voidokilia supported by Navarino Outdoors, as well as golf clinics supported by Navarino Golf Academy.

Free participation in the Authentic Marathon of Athens for the first 50

The first 50 to book their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino stand a chance to win a free participation at the Authentic Athens Marathon 5km race on Sunday November 10, 2019.
More information on accommodation packages can be found here.

Registrations continue for running and swimming

Entries for the award-winning sporting event are underway and interested parties can take part by completing the special form available here. Pre-sale is also available online via www.viva.gr or by phone at 11876 as well as at all Viva pre-sale points.

For more information on accommodation packages in the region visit VitaNTravel: http://vitantravel.gr/

Coastal rowing for the first time at “Navarino Challenge”

Samsung is the official technology partner for another year. Official sponsors of the event are Ford Motor Hellas and the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”.

Luanvi is the official sports supplier of the event for one more year.

Official supporters are Poseidonia, Municipality of Pylos-Nestor and PlantBox. Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner for the first time. Partners of the event are Pylos Poems, Fysiotek Sports Lab, Karalis Beach Hotel, Athens Easy Transfers. Avance Rent A Car is the official rental partner.

Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge promotes sports with inter-generational activities catering to all age groups (photo by Mike Tsolis)

National Geographic is the strategic partner of the event and 24MEDIA its premium media partner.

“Navarino Challenge” has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2019 programme of the European Commission and is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

The event is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation.

Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Athletic Partners: Explore Messinia, F45 The Pearl, FitnessArt, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club
CSR Partners: Captain Vasilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation, WWF Greece, Karkinaki, Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis
Assisted by: VitaNTravel, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Lifeguard Patrol, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Target Security, Pilia Express, METAXA, The Blue Beetle, Fever-Tree, NoS, Southern Comfort
Discount Partners: Anazoe Spa, Attica Selections, Kessaris, Panellinios Agora Boutique, Tsamis Eyewear Boutique

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