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

Dear Sirs,

It is not in the spirit of these Olympian days to complain about a story which lacks as much truth and expertise as does your one on Tuesday July 31 headed 'What economic crisis? Partying Greeks take over the Carlton Club'. I am not a Greek Olympic Official, and no Greek Olympic Official organisation has spent a single cent to finance the House. The British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Alliance for Greece and the International Olympic Truce Centre, based on private sponsorship and with private sacrifices by the organisers are proud to provide - free of charge -  any hospitality that may be extended to agencies of the Hellenic Republic, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, former Olympic gold medalists 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 from private sponsorship with 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 your 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 he had claimed in expenses from the UK government for his walk.

Of all British newspapers I expect The Standard to report the truth. In this case it didn't. So all I ask for is an apology and, perhaps, a small contribution from the editor for providing me the opportunity to make up for the personal funds I and my colleagues have put in to support my country.

Yours sincerely,

Harris Ikonomopoulos,

President
British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce