Greece’s Olympic Rowing Center at Schinias has been officially transferred from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance to the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, with officials highlighting the importance of preserving and developing public assets for the benefit of society.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said that “public property belongs to all Greeks” and that each asset should be managed according to its purpose and value.
“Not every asset has the same mission, nor can their use follow a single formula,” Pierrakakis said, stressing that some public properties can attract investment and create growth, while others gain greater value by serving public goals such as education, culture, the environment and sport.
A new chapter for Schinias Olympic venue
The minister described the Schinias Olympic Rowing Center as a prime example of how public property can serve a long-term purpose.
The facility is an international-standard Olympic venue located within the Schinias-Marathon National Park, an area that is part of the Natura 2000 protected network and subject to strict environmental regulations.
The centre hosts athletes, national teams, competitions and training activities, bringing together elite sport and a unique natural environment.
According to Pierrakakis, the best use of the venue is to ensure it continues fulfilling the purpose for which it was created: supporting athletes, providing modern and safe training conditions, encouraging young people to take up sport and hosting major national and international events while protecting the surrounding environment.
Renovated Olympic legacy
The Olympic Rowing Centre has recently undergone renovation and modernization, including improvements to the water course and other facilities aimed at enhancing safety, functionality and overall conditions for athletes.
The handover ceremony was organized by the Hellenic Growth Fund and the Public Properties Company (ETAD), which worked to prepare the transition to the Ministry of Sports.
Pierrakakis said the transfer reflects a broader approach to managing Greece’s public assets through strategic planning, documentation and a focus on public benefit.
Preserving the Olympic heritage
The minister also referred to the legacy of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, when Greece hosted a global sporting event and created major infrastructure projects that became a source of national pride.
More than two decades later, he said, the value of these Olympic facilities depends on their continued use after the major events have ended.
According to Pierrakakis, an Olympic venue’s true importance is measured by the athletes who continue training there, the young people who begin their sporting journeys, the workers who maintain the facilities and the goals that continue to be created.
“The Olympic legacy we want for Schinias is a place that remains active and evolves together with Greek sport,” he said.
