So you can’t go to the Athens Games this summer and you don’t want to buy your 2004 Olympic souvenirs on line. Well, you may be in luck – sort of.
If you’re anywhere near Toronto Canada you’ll be able to shop at the only location outside of Greece to sell official Athens 2004 Olympic products.
The store, which opens on June 10th in the Greek area of Toronto, is owned by Sotiris Buseas, who at the age of 18 failed to make the Greek water polo team. He then came to Canada as a foreign student and stayed, becoming a successful businessman.
The Toronto Star reports that Cassie Michopoulos, a spokesperson for Olympic licensing, confirmed Buseas’ shop will feature memorabilia that can otherwise only be purchased in Athens.
There will be about 1,400 Olympic-related products available, including official beach balls and wristbands.
The Athens mascots, Athena and Phevos, inspired by ancient Greek brother and sister dolls, appear on many of the products and in a stuffed version.
Twenty per cent of the profits, an estimated $1 million, will go to Canadian athletes, said Buseas.
Why Toronto? About 120,000 Greek Canadians call Toronto home, Dimitrios Hatzinakos, president of the Thessalonikeans Society of Toronto told the Toronto Star.
He said, “(the Greek community) feels very proud. It makes people feel that we are celebrating the spirit of the Olympic Games. It’s a great atmosphere here”, referring to the traditionally Greek neighbourhood where the store will be located.
