The relocation of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation to the landmark Ellinikon development — first announced last June — was officially sealed today with the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the Greek State, the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation, OAKA (Athens Olympic Athletic Center), EAKN Agios Kosmas, and LAMDA Development.
The Cooperation Agreement was signed in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, by Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis, LAMDA Development CEO Odysseas Athanasiou, Hellenic Gymnastics Federation President Vassilis Tsolakidis, OAKA President Ioanna Batsou, and the Chairman of the Administrative Committee of EAKN Agios Kosmas, Ioannis Papadimitriou.
The agreement establishes the framework for the creation of new, state-of-the-art sports facilities for the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation at Hangar B of the former Ellinikon airport, providing a modern training and development environment for athletes across all gymnastics disciplines.
Hangar B has been designated a monument of modern cultural heritage by the Greek Ministry of Culture. The adaptive reuse of this historic structure as the new home of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation reflects LAMDA’s commitment to preserving and showcasing the area’s historical legacy — breathing new life and purpose into iconic buildings while maintaining their deep connection to the site’s past.
This development marks yet another significant step by LAMDA Development toward strengthening sports infrastructure across Greece, as well as the company’s ongoing commitment to upgrading athletic facilities and enhancing the overall sporting experience. It also reinforces The Ellinikon’s role as a premier destination for sports, wellness, and quality of life — offering world-class facilities that serve both elite athletes and the general public alike.
Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, who has taken on the role of coordinating government initiatives to accelerate the Ellinikon redevelopment project, stated: “Last June, I announced the solution for the relocation of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation. Today, with the signing of the relevant agreement, what I announced has now taken on official form.
The Federation will gain new, modern facilities at Hangar B of Ellinikon, following the completion of all necessary works and approvals. In the meantime, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics athletes will be temporarily hosted at OAKA, ensuring their training continues without interruption.
With this agreement, we are combining the progress of the largest investment currently underway in Greece with a tangible upgrade of facilities for our athletes. This is precisely the effort I have taken on to coordinate on behalf of the Government: overcoming whatever obstacles arise, so that the Ellinikon project moves forward with steady and decisive steps.”
Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis emphasized: “The Ministry of Sports, together with LAMDA, is creating the ‘House of Gymnastics’ at the Ellinikon facilities — a modern training center that will be granted to the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation for the next 30 years, meeting the needs of our national teams. We are taking a meaningful step forward for Greek gymnastics, a sport that has gifted us with unforgettable moments and extraordinary achievements. We are ensuring that our national teams can continue their preparation without disruption, with a long-term vision for the further development and strengthening of the sport.
With the ‘House of Gymnastics’ and more than 858 sports infrastructure projects being implemented across Greece — with a total budget exceeding €1 billion — we have turned Greece into a construction site for sport.
We are investing in modern sports facilities and creating better conditions for all of our athletes.”
LAMDA Development CEO Odysseas Athanasiou stated: “We are truly delighted that here, at Ellinikon, inside a historic building — a monument of our country’s modern cultural heritage — the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation will find its new home. This is a federation that has produced a wealth of Olympic champions for Greece.
And our joy grows even greater as we watch Ellinikon come alive day by day, gaining momentum and energy. The promise we made of a new destination — open and accessible to all — is becoming a reality.”
Olympic champion and three-time World Champion on rings, Eleftherios Petrounias, currently in Rotterdam competing at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, said: “I would like to express my warmest and most sincere gratitude to LAMDA Development, the Greek Government, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, and Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis, for their contribution to advancing and delivering this important project — the construction of the new artistic gymnastics center at Ellinikon. The signing of this agreement is a significant milestone for the future of Greek gymnastics and for the creation of modern sports infrastructure that will provide our athletes with better training conditions, development opportunities, and preparation for major international competitions.
I hope that the construction of the new gymnasium at Ellinikon will mark the beginning of a new era for Greek gymnastics — giving athletes the facilities they deserve and opening up new horizons for generations to come.”
Following the signing ceremony, attendees visited Hangar B, where the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation’s new facilities will be built, and were briefed on the design plans and implementation timeline for the project.
