Actions for the environment and society by MOTODYNAMICS at the 2023 Navarino Challenge
Athens, 26 October 2023 – Driven by love for mobility and development, MOTODYNAMICS supported for the second consecutive year one of the most important sports and wellness events in Europe, the Navarino Challenge, on 13-15 October 2023, at Costa Navarino and Pylos. MOTODYNAMICS united people from 27 countries and “set them in motion” through more than 55 activities and 20 Olympic sports.
The event attracted more than 3,500 participants and all its athletes and ambassadors moved safely with the renewed car fleet of SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group and Premium Mobility Partner of the 2023 Navarino Challenge 2023. Throughout the three-day event, the group’s premium cars adorned the entrances of W Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort.
MOTODYNAMICS cleaning team with love for the environment
Through its participation, MOTODYNAMICS has implemented sustainable practices, contributing to environmental protection. More specifically, the dynamic MOTODYNAMICS Cleaning Team consisting of the best Greek female walker of all time, two-time European gold champion, bronze world champion and Olympic champion Antigone Drisbioti and the best Greek pole vault jumper, 4th Olympic champion in Tokyo Emmanuel Karalis, together with the people of Moraitis Watersports and the large team of volunteers of the University of Piraeus undertook the cleaning of Gialova beach as part of the Navarino Challenge. The amount of dead Posidonia leaves collected from the beach was placed in special bags and forwarded in order to give a second life through PHEE technology, thus contributing to the reduction of the event’s environmental footprint and to the awareness of participants on the principles of circular economy. MOTODYNAMICS Cleaning Team tried to restore the natural balance, promoting the principles of “green” entrepreneurship and upcycling of natural resources. According to scientists, algae, and in particular this type of plant, is one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. The leaves of Posidonia are washed up on the shores of the Mediterranean in large quantities annually and disposed of as waste. In collaboration with the Greek innovative company PHEE, the first company in the world to fully use the dead leaves of Posidonia Oceanica as raw material, MOTODYNAMICS Cleaning Team started the process to bring them back to life. First, they cleaned the beach, collected the algae, stored them and with natural treatment the panels were created, which are made of discarded leaves and organic resins. In doing so, it promoted environmental and social responsibility through its chain of values.
The 1st “Alexandros Nikolaidis” prize to Emmanuel Karalis – Honorary distinction for Antigone Drisbioti from the organisers
With the message “sport unites” and following the purpose of the Olympic Movement, for one more year Navarino Challenge brought together people of all ages and abilities, amateur and professional participants from Greece and abroad. Above all, however, it brought young people and amateurs close to important healthy standards of athletes. Exactly one year after the loss of Alexandros Nikolaidis, the two-time silver medalist of taekwondo, the organisers implemented the wish of Alexander’s family by instituting the “Alexandros Nikolaidis” prize through Navarino Challenge and with the permission of the Greek Olympic Committee. In the presence of his wife Dora Tsampazi, their daughter and the Secretary General of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Manolis Kolymbadis, the 1st “Alexandros Nikolaidis” prize was awarded to the Olympic champion of pole vault and ambassador SIXT (a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group) Emmanuel Karalis who stands out for his integrity, commitment and ethics. At the same time, the Olympic champion, European champion and ambassador of SIXT (a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group), Antigone Drisbyoti, was awarded for her contribution to sport by the Development Manager of SIXT Greece, Mr. Antonios Markoutsas.
10 km Powered by SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group
The participants of the Navarino Challenge had the opportunity to run the enchanting route by the sea of the 10 km powered by SIXT race, crossing hundreds of old olive trees overlooking the Ionian Sea. Those who finished the route received a medal made of reused Posidonia leaves.
Finally, MOTODYNAMICS supported the volunteer team of Humanity Greece, which the Group has been supporting as a Major Sponsor since May 2023. On a daily basis, the team strives to collect all the necessary items and material necessities, in order to improve conditions and provide substantial assistance to vulnerable fellow human beings throughout the country. Humanity Greece moved with the power of SIXT at this year’s Navarino Challenge, while its great volunteer work helped the smooth organisation of the event.
