| Date: | Tue, 11 Feb 2003 20:29:57 -0800 (PST) | |
| From: | “Gabe Kaplan” <gabe@gabekaplan.com> | |
| Subject: | Lighting Olympic Torch | |
| To: | mediade@athens2004.gr |
Dear Athens Olympic Committee,
How’s it going with all the preparations? Are you on schedule? Someone told me - I think it was Leon Spinks - that the velodrome may not be built in time. I’m sure that’s just another one of those bogus, pre-Olympic rumors. I don’t believe it. I’m pretty confident your country can overcome many problems and give the world one of the best Summer Olympics we’ve seen.
Deciding who lights the Olympic torch is a major factor in the success of all that follows. I humbly believe that if I were to be assigned the honor, it would get things going in the right direction. I’m sure you’re aware that I’m one of the beloved international television celebrities of all time. However, you may not know that I was also quite an athlete in my day - not Olympic caliber, but close. Anyone who’s seen “Battle of the Network Stars” knows of my athletic prowess.
The Muhammad Ali surprise worked for Atlanta and a celebrity of equal world-wide notoriety would be perfect for Greece. Yours is the oldest civilization on earth, requiring someone who symbolizes classic dignity evocative of the Spartan culture.
I do not expect any financial remuneration beyond first-class accommodations and travel for my manservant, James Fitzwilliam, and me. This arrangement would be in place, of course, for the entire length of the Games.
Greece is the word,
Gabe Kaplan
gabe@gabekaplan.com
| Date: | Fri, 21 Mar 2003 15:35:25 +0200 | |
| From: | “Protekdikou Aikaterini” <AProte@athens2004.com> | |
| Subject: | Lighting Olympic Torch | |
| To: | gabe@gabekaplan.com |
Dear Mr. Kaplan:
Thank you for your offer of participation in the Opening Ceremonies of the Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad in Athens, 2004. However we cannot accept your proposal for many reasons. The role of the Flame in the Olympic ceremonies is an important connection between the modern Games and their origins in Ancient Greece. Because the flame is held in such high esteem it is treated with reverence and respect. Because of this the role of final torchbearer is reserved for someone who has exemplified the principles of Olympism with pride and dignity. We are sure that if you were familiar with the history of Greece and the Olympic Games this would become clear to you. In addition, in all of the Olympic Games that took place in the United States of America (as listed below)
1960 - LAKE PLACID - Dr Charles Morgan Ker
1984 - LOS ANGELES - Wafer Johnson
1996 - ATLANTA - Muhammad Ali
2002 - SALT LAKE - National Hokey Team (gold medalists in 1960)
the last torchbearer to light the cauldron in the stadium was an American citizen. We plan to do so in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
We thank you for your interest with best wishes for success in your show business career.
Sincerely,
ATHANASSIOS KRITSINELIS
Manager of Greek Torch Relay