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London 2012: Greek Goddess statue marks end to Games | London 2012: Greek Goddess statue marks end to Games |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A statue of the Greek Goddess of Victory has been unveiled as London 2012 draws to a close. | A statue of the Greek Goddess of Victory has been unveiled as London 2012 draws to a close. |
The four metre (13ft) high statue of Nike was presented to London by the Ancient City of Olympia to mark the Greek origins of the Games. | The four metre (13ft) high statue of Nike was presented to London by the Ancient City of Olympia to mark the Greek origins of the Games. |
Created by sculptor Angelos Kougioumtzis, it was revealed at the Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich. | Created by sculptor Angelos Kougioumtzis, it was revealed at the Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich. |
A statue has been presented to host cities since 1996, when the centenary of the modern Olympic era was marked. | A statue has been presented to host cities since 1996, when the centenary of the modern Olympic era was marked. |
This ensures that the ancient Greek origins of the Games - which are marked at the start of each Olympiad with the lighting of the flame by the rays of the sun in Olympia - will take centre stage at the closing of them. | |
'Old and the new' | 'Old and the new' |
The statue was unveiled on Sunday by Chris Roberts, the leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and Mr Kougioumtzis. | The statue was unveiled on Sunday by Chris Roberts, the leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and Mr Kougioumtzis. |
Members of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery formed a mounted guard at the ceremony, which was marked with a fanfare by a bugler from the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. | Members of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery formed a mounted guard at the ceremony, which was marked with a fanfare by a bugler from the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. |
Both regiments are stationed at nearby Woolwich Barracks, which has served as the venue for the shooting events in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Paralympic archery events. | Both regiments are stationed at nearby Woolwich Barracks, which has served as the venue for the shooting events in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Paralympic archery events. |
Mr Roberts said: "Royal Greenwich is proud and honoured to receive this sculpture, on behalf of London, from the ancient city of Olympia." | Mr Roberts said: "Royal Greenwich is proud and honoured to receive this sculpture, on behalf of London, from the ancient city of Olympia." |
He added: "The arrival of Nike in the Royal Arsenal is an important contribution to the cultural legacy of these Games. | He added: "The arrival of Nike in the Royal Arsenal is an important contribution to the cultural legacy of these Games. |
"Her siting here is a fitting encounter between the old and the new, with this ancient Goddess now taking her place in a site that represents the kind of regenerated modern urban community that London's civic leaders are keen to build." | "Her siting here is a fitting encounter between the old and the new, with this ancient Goddess now taking her place in a site that represents the kind of regenerated modern urban community that London's civic leaders are keen to build." |
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