Press Release 2008 - Start in Rome
An der Würm 28, 81247 München, Germany
Phone +49-89-12 02 15-13
Fax +49-89-12 02 15-29
Mobile +49-151-50 98 64 83
Team captain on the route:
Dipavajan Renner
Mobile: +43-699-17 13 00 27
europe [ at ] worldharmonyrun [dot] org
www.worldharmonyrun.org
Contact Rome, Italy:
Giovanni Amantea, phone / fax +39-02- 48 37 66 05
Press Release
Thousands Are Running for International Friendship
Rome - 27 March 2008. The European leg of the World Harmony Run, a global torch relay that promotes international friendship and understanding, will start in Rome in front of the Colosseum on 27 March 2008. The World Harmony Run partners with communities to encourage harmony between people of different cultures, nationalities and beliefs through presentations and programs for schools and community groups, as well as city and federal officials.
In Europe an international team of runners will carry the torch 24,000 km through all 49 European countries. The Run will finish in Prague on 6 October 2008. An estimated 500,000 runners are expected to participate in Europe. The run will cover in total over 100 countries in Asia, North and South Africa, America and Australia this year.
The World Harmony Run is actively supported by many top athletes, among them Carl Lewis (USA), 9-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Paul Tergat (Kenya), former Men's Marathon World Record Holder and Tatyana Lebedeva (Russia), Long Jump Gold Medallist Athens 2004.
The World Harmony Run has touched the lives of millions of people along its route. The runners visit schools, community groups, running clubs, and local and national government organizations. At these stops they will celebrate the goal of world harmony as well as recognise people in the community who work towards it.
The run is organized by the World Harmony Run, a non-profit organization headquartered in New York City. In cities and towns along the route, local volunteer WHR Coordinators work in partnership with community organizations and schools.
The World Harmony Run was launched in 1987 by the late peace visionary Sri Chinmoy to provide an opportunity for citizens to express their own hopes and dreams for a more harmonious world. In recognition of his contribution for a more fulfilling world, Sri Chinmoy received UNESCO‘s Nehru Medallion, along with several honorary degrees from noted universities.
Everyone can participate in the World Harmony Run: athletes and non-athletes, young and old alike. Everyone can carry the Torch a few steps, a few blocks or a few miles or just come out and cheer the runners as they pass through. People can join local school children, celebrities and government officials in one of the thousands of welcoming ceremonies along the route.
For more information go to: www.worldharmonyrun.org