ATHENS, GREECE, 31 AUGUST 2004

“BEST GAMES EVER,” SAY OLYMPIANS, TRIBES

Over a hundred people: Olympians, tribal people, spectators, and press from around the world, gathered near the steps of the Zappeion, a modern Olympic birth site, on Sunday, to celebrate the Greeks’ hosting of the acclaimed “Best Games Ever.” Greek Minister of Tourism Dimitris Avramopoulos and Christina Chanopoulou, of the European Organization of Strategic Planning, gave the gathering their enthusiastic blessings, and were thrilled with the sentiments “that the Greek Olympics turned out as the visionaries planned!”

Olympians from Italy, Israel, Greece, Ecuador, America, and the former Yugoslavia, shared their love for these games at the cultural celebration featuring the fantastic, unique tribal sounds and dance by the “Color Indigo.”

“We also want to express appreciation to the world tribes, including all our ancient ancestors (who threw rocks and spears that became the Greek shot put and javelin events), for their gifts to the roots of Olympic sports,” said Suzy Chaffee, Olympic skier. Chaffee co-hosted the “euphoric” Gratitude Ceremony with Greek Olympic sledder, Mike Voudouris, who helped welcome the Iraqis back to the Olympic Family earlier this year.

“The Games were beyond stunning,” said Rose Voisk, 1948 Olympic gymnast of the former Yugoslavia, who attended 7 games.

Yaov Bruck, Israeli Judo Olympian 04, thanked the Asians, led by the Korean Tribes in 2333BC, “for giving us all Marshal Arts.”

Olympic gold medalist ice skater Sarah Hughes conveyed a message of thanks through her mother Amy, to the polar tribes, “particularly the Sami (Laplanders) for my passion, skating” (and skiing 5,000 years ago). Amy was heartily applauded, on behalf of all the moms, for giving their kids a chance to go for the Gold.

The assembled group recognized the Koreans and Arabs, including the Iraqis, for restoring the peace-honoring spirit of the ancient Olympics. Chaffee thanked America’s 500+ Nations for their gifts to 10 Olympic sports, some in combo with the Tribes of South America. (See www.nativevoices.org). With the addition to the modern games of team sports - invented by American Indians, who pioneered conflict-resolution through sports, “The Greeks wove together the brilliant strands of the ancient and new to create the most unified Olympic Games of the Modern Era,” said Chaffee

She also thanked the Olympic Family for the Salt Lake Opening Ceremonies that inspired a breakthrough in the ski world, in addition to a “phenomena” over the last 8 years – ski areas receiving an abundance of snow after inviting their local tribes back to their ancestral lands to ski, snowboard and share their earth-honoring wisdom.

Chaffee announced that, “This year over 100 U.S. ski areas, the SnowSports Industry and Expos in 8 cities, Winter Trails Day, National Trails Day, and the National Sporting Goods Manufacturers will “Salute America’s First Caretakers,” the First Americans. The best way to thank your local tribes is sharing sports opportunities.”
“On behalf of the World Indigenous Peoples, we are so happy to hear all your beautiful words, and Suzy’s news of this Salute to my people,” said smiling Fernando Jose, the Navajo-Inca “Color Indio” leader. His fellow performers, including Incas Ullarik and Condor, and Chasque of Taos Pueblo (NM), blend the sounds, language and regalia of the tribes of the Americas. They were in Athens performing at the Cultural Olympiad by invitation of Mayor Dora Bakannis.

Afterwards, there was a reception at Visa’s Olympian Reunion Center, where Billy Mills, Lakota gold medalist runner 64, had been congratulated for his NBC interview with Tom Brokaw. Discussed was the IOC’s welcome of more Indigenous Peoples into the Olympic Family to enhance the games’ sustainability. That inspired Native American and the World Council of Elders to lead ceremonies and global prayers protecting the Greek and Salt Lake Olympics. Many Olympians, like Lee Evans, Olympic gold medalist runner 68-72, expressed appreciation to Chaffee for spearheading the honoring of the tribes, which she said was possible thanks to the support of Native American Olympic Team Foundation, which she co-chairs, the Paiute Tribe (near Mammoth, Ca), NUTIVA, and private foundations.

CONTACT: suzynativevoices@aol.com, more info: www.nativevoices.org, Greek cell: 6939288643, Aspen, Colorado tel: 970-9225406, Mike: 697693 2969. Digital pictures (and video) available soon through NVF web.