Raise the flag for the Lebanese Olympic team

28 July 2012

A weekend of festive sport activities came to the city of Beirut, as Lebanon, Britain and the whole world turn their eyes to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In the countdown to the Opening Ceremony Friday, and joined by Lebanese Olympians Tvine Moumjoghlian, Caren Chammas and Ahmad Hazer – aiming for gold at the London 2012 games – British Ambassador Tom Fletcher said:

“For millennia, the Lebanese have set out from these shores to push the boundaries, to pursue dreams. This week, 10 Lebanese athletes will follow in their footsteps, as they depart for the greatest global sporting event, in the greatest global city. London is ready to host the most amazing Olympics ever.

“The Olympics are a great unifier, and I hope that they will unite Lebanon behind their team. I hope that every Lebanese building will fly the national flag during the Games, sending a message to the United Kingdom, from a united Lebanon.”

The ambassador wished the Lebanese Olympians good luck and presented them with official London 2012 kit bags to take to the Games.

The ambassador delivered his message at the Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel, which organized a day of sports and games in collaboration with the British Embassy – from darts to table tennis to Zumba to Taekwondo. The British ambassador took part in the activities, joined by the Lebanese Olympians, sportspeople and sports fans.

Amine Deeb, spa and recreation manager at the Phoenicia Hotel, spoke about the sports day, hosted by the Phoenicia for the third consecutive year, and said that sports are a great force to unite people. There was also a specially commissioned display of flags by 50 2012 Olympic fine artists from more than 30 countries across the world, whose designs inspired by the U.K.’s Union Flag were displayed at the event for a charity auction which raised $2,200 for Dar al-Awlad.

Flags are still available for purchase, with all proceeds going to charity. For more information please email us at: ukinlebanon@gmail.com.