Athens newly-elected Mayor Theodoros Bechrakis announced on Wednesday that Athens will host the 2006 Europe Corporate Games in November.

At the press conference, Bechrakis said that it will be the second consecutive year Athens host this major event.

The Europe Corporate Games are a special multi-sport celebration very different from the traditional Games. The Corporate Games are a combination of sport, business and tourism, which helps to raise self-confidence but, most importantly, boosts the spirit of teamwork and strengthens the ties between business management and staff on all levels.

More than 3,500 athletes, representing more than 150 companies from throughout Europe, are expected to compete this year in 20 events.

The Europe Corporate Games Athens 2006 will take place between November 3 and 5 at the Olympic venues.

President of the City of Athens Youth and Sport Organisation (ONA) Nikos Apergis said that the City of Athens was taking a more active role in this year's Europe Corporate Games, adding that the Greek capital has won the right to host the event for five consecutive years, from 2005 to 2010.

The key characteristic of these Games is the joy of participation, he said.

These Games were created to enhance life-long fitness, raise morale and boost the sense of esprit de corps in the workplace through participation in competitive sport, while they promote the ideals of sport, international friendship and entrepreneurship, he added.

Source: Xinhua