From Ancient Stones to Future Dreams
There are few places in the world where past, present, and future come together as powerfully as they do in Athens, Greece. This summer, on the eve of the U17 World Championships, Wrestling for Peace (W4P) and SportsLife ambassadors had the extraordinary opportunity to stand together in the Panathenaic Stadium, the iconic heart of Olympic history, with delegations from Team USA and Team Greece.
Organized by Taft Blackburn, W4P Deputy Executive Director of US Operations, and Dan Russell, W4P Executive Director and 2004 Olympic Coach at the Athens Games, this 2025 Global Campaign visit was a reminder of the timeless values that sport represents: unity, respect, and peace. “This site isn’t just symbolic,” Russell stated. “It is inspiration for the next generation as they begin their journey toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
One of the most moving moments came as Jamill Kelly, 2004 Olympic silver medalist, shared his story. Standing where modern Olympic history was reborn, Kelly spoke of his journey to the podium in Athens. He reflected on how the Panathenaic Stadium is not only engraved on every Olympic medal but etched into the hearts of athletes who dream of the Games. “This place reminds us what we’re striving for. Wrestling brought me here—and through wrestling, we can bring people together,” urged Kelly.
Also joining the occasion were several icons of the wrestling and combat sports world:
J’Den Cox, two-time World Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist
Nate Marquardt, UFC legend and advocate for peace through sport
David Dimopoulous Said, Pioneer in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Greece.
What made this moment even more powerful was the presence of both Team USA and Team Greece, united on the same ground where Olympism was born. Standing side by side as athletes, friends, and future competitors, these teams embodied the Olympic spirit in its purest form. Language and nationality faded into the background as mutual respect and shared purpose took center stage. Wrestling for Peace isn’t just about winning medals, it is about finding purpose beyond the podium.
This year’s U17 World Championships in Athens marked the first major step of the new Olympic cycle. There was no better place to begin that journey than in the historic Panathenaic Stadium. It was a powerful reminder that wrestling is more than a sport—it is a bridge between cultures, a tool for peace, and a stage for unity. Together with our 2025 Global Campaign partners and sponsors, W4P is committed to creating moments like this—where the values of sport transcend competition and inspire a better world.