"Panionic Games"

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The Panionian Games was an annual athletic track racing event mainly held in Smyrna and then Athens from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century with the Panionios Gymnastics Association of Smyrna organized. Twenty-six (26) times were held and had a nationwide character, which included the frequent appearance of sports clubs of the Greek diaspora. Participation by individuals or groups of athletes from foreign states, finally, paid international coverage to the Games.

History

The Panionian Games began in 1896 in Smyrna by the Gymnasium club called "Public Games". The local press, however, from the beginning called them Panionians, in memory of the homonymous games held in Smyrna in ancient times. This established the name, from which the name of the club emerged. Specifically, in 1898 the games were jointly organized by the homogamous clubs "Gymnation" and "Orpheys", who had broken up in 1893. In late 1898 they were reunited again under the name Panionios Gymnastics Association, who has since assumed responsibility for the event.

Immediately after the reunion of Gymnasium-Orpheus, as the primary goal was the preparation and organization of the 3rd Panionic Games of 1899. The games were set on a better basis, a regulation was introduced and the events were set. Originally used the English measurement system: 100, 220, 440 yards, half and a mile, Panionian road 8.5 km, 120 yards with obstacles, long jumps and height, disc and bullet throws. From 1901 the distances were determined on the basis of the measure. However, in some events there were semi-tolerance or endurance routes calculated in miles. Other events were later added: 800, 1,500, 10,000, walk, relays, triple, short, bare-weared jumps, javelin, stoning, Greek discus and pentathlon.

Since 1913 they joined the program and youth and children events. Also, gymnastics, swimming, gunfighting, cycling, naval ( rowing) events were held and at times fights and weightlifting. The games were held in late April or early May.

Since 1904 alongside the Panionian games the School Athletics Championship was also held, in which students from the schools of Smyrna participated. By 1922 18 school championships were held but not always at the same time as the Panionian Games.

All the great names of Greek sport at that time had taken part in the games, many of which had been distinguished in the Olympiads, such as the Olympic Chicleter, Donizas, Georgantas, Tofalos, Alipradi brothers.

From the games emerged forms of Greek sport, holders of Panhellenic records and later panhellenics, such as: Konstantinos Muratis, Dimitrios Samothrakis, George Kassar, Victor Gontran, Ch. Parsalis, N.Andradakis, Konstantinos Iskos, Pantelis Hector, Karabatis, Panayiotis Retelas, George Isgonis etc. The winners of the games enjoyed themselves