Letter of the President of British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Harris Ikonomopoulos, re article of The Independent

Dear Sirs,

It is not in the spirit of these Olympian days to complain about a story and/or answer to any journalist who decides to proceed with the publication of a predefined title and create a story despite lacking one that backs it. I am not a Greek Olympic Official, and no Greek Olympic Official or organisation has spent a single cent to finance the effort. The British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Alliance for Greece and the International Olympic Truce Centre, based on private sponsorship and with private sacrifices from the part of  the organisers are proud to provide  - free of charge - any hospitality may be extended to any agency of the Hellenic Republic, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, former Olympic gold medallists and symbols of Olympism at the House of Hellenes for just a few days of the London Games.

The journalist who "created" yesterday's story may ignore what one means by saying that "the Cynics were not cynical" but will certainly know that were it not for Greece there would be no Olympic Games.

It is not my business to compare National Olympic Homes costs with the cost that The House of Hellenes is expected to have. Neither to remind anyone that London 2012 Games cost 10bn GBP, out of which only 1bn came out of private sponsorship, the rest being covered by British taxpayers, unlike the House of Hellenes.

In May 2011 Lord Bates walked 3.000 miles for Peace, from Olympia to London. He was present when I read the article, reminding me that upon arrival to England he received two phone calls from local media. The first was to inquire whether he was planning to walk the final steps with any celebrities. The second to be asked how much expense he claimed from the UK government for his walk.

I expect The Independent to report the truth. In this case it didn't. I, thus, ask The Independent for an apology and to immediately restore the unsubstantiated, the least to say, title and article, including publishing the present letter.  In any other case I will thank the editor for providing me the opportunity to make up,inter alia, for the personal funds I and others have put to support our country.

Yours sincerely,

Harris Ikonomopoulos,

President
British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce