Nine-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Carl Lewis and other Olympians came together to unveil the statue of the late Indian spiritual teacher and athlete Sri Chinmoy at an event here titled ‘A Moment of Peace’.

The bronze sculpture of Sri Chinmoy depicts him holding an Olympic-style peace torch, beckoning the world to join him in offering their prayers for peace.

“This statue will remind us of the highest ideals of the Olympic Games-peace and friendship between all nations. Sri Chinmoy was my mentor for more than 30 years, and the most peaceful person I have ever known,” Lewis said last night.

Lewis announced that the statue will be offered as a gift to the City of London. Joining Lewis on stage were fellow Olympians Tegla Loroupe and Bob Beamon.

“This statue embodies the same spirit of oneness, brotherhood and friendship which has infused the origins and traditions of the Olympics, both ancient and modern, and which to this day gives the Games their unique appeal,” Loroupe said.

The event was hosted by Cathy Oerter’s Art of the Olympians (AOTO), an organisation founded by Cathy’s husband and four-time Olympic discus champion Al Oerter, to help Olympians promote the highest ideals of humanity through their creative talents.

The event was organised by the World Harmony Run, a 140-nation torch relay founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987 to foster peace, harmony and friendship among people of the world.

Others who spoke on the occasion included the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., Dr Bernice A King; the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Mpho Tutu; the daughter of Muhammad Ali and respected philanthropist, Ms Khaliah Ali; and the daughter of legendary Olympian Jesse Owens, Ms Marlene Owens-Rankin.

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