Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki
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Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki (born Gianna Daskalaki on December 12, 1955 in Heraklion, Crete) is a Greek politician and business woman. She is best known for being the president of the bidding and organizing committee for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She was named one of the 50 most powerful women by Forbes magazine.
Born to a working class family in Heraklion, Crete, she distinguished herself academically. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki studied law in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and in the late 1980s became actively involved in politics in Athens, initially elected municipal councillor and subsequently Member of Parliament. In 1990 she married shipping magnate Theodore Angelopoulos and has since been working in the shipping business.
Disappointed over losing the bid for the 100 Year Celebration of the revival of the Olympic Games in 1996, Greece officials decided to bid for the 2004 Summer Olympics. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was named president of the Bidding Committee and succeeded in bringing the Olympics to Athens. She was however excluded from the initial organization committee that would prepare for the games.
When the International Olympic Committee questioned Greece's commitment to the games and its ability to complete all preparations prior to the opening ceremony, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was asked to return and was named president of the Organizing Committee. Under her watch competition facilities were completed and security issues were taken care of. IOC presidents Juan Antonio Samaranch and Jacques Rogge both credit specifically Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki for the success of the games.
Dimitrios Daskalopoulos who has worked with Angelopoulos in several occasions says, "Working with Gianna has been very rewarding. She makes you feel comfortable to speak your mind, as well as she makes sure that the task at hand is completed. I have learned a lot from her and I am sure that I am not alone."
Though she is highly popular in Greece, she also has a number of critics, most often citing what is perceived as aggressive self-promotion. In 1998, she was appointed Ambassador at Large by the Greek government. In 2009, she will be nominated for election as Vice-Chair of the Dean's Council of London Business School and she will be honoured by the London 2012 Organising Committee, as one of the most successful Presidents of the Olympic Games. Additionally, she is going to contribute to the preparation of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, as honorary member of the Organising Committee.
