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Emanuela Karastoyanova

The American TV host and actress of Greek origin Maria Menounos came to Greece to celebrate the 2500-th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. Despite of her numerous commitments the beautiful Menounos flew from America to take on the role of host during the festive ceremony celebrating the anniversary. At a press conference just few days before the marathon, she said that she was extremely happy to be in Greece among the greatest athletes on the planet. She emphasized the power and historical meaning of this year's marathon and said that in this case the historical moment is even more important than the sports even.

TV presenter is in Greece with her parents and together with them she will participate in the 5 km marathon. Menounos is fascinated by Greece and said that her dream is to be in the village of her parents, with the goats and to eat cheese ... but it is quite difficult to achieve this, as she pointed out herself. Being asked about her personal marathon in life, she said: "My marathon is my career and being the best possible person. Being able to help others. I am blessed that I work at NBC and that I'm a public person who can help."

The beautiful TV host and actress was born in America in the family of Greek immigrants. Since she was young, however, she was keyed up by her parents into attending beauty pageants. And with good reason. In 1996 she won first place in the Miss Massachusetts Teen USA pageant. Three years later again she participated in the contest, but this time in the category Miss Massachusetts USA and... won second place. Journalist by education, Menounos worked in channel NBC in the broadcasts Today Show and Access Hollywood. She also played in the films Fantastic Four and Kicking It Old Skool. In 2007 her voice was used for the character of Eva Adara in the video game James Bond 007: From Russia with love. To the Greek audience she is known for her role as host during the Eurovision 2006 in Athens, where stood next to Sakis Rouvas. In 2008 Maria Menounos became the first journalist to take interview from the whole family of Barack Obama.

After the official pressconference Maria Menounos answered a few questions especially for GRReporter:

What makes this year's marathon different according to you?

The fact that this year is celebrated the 2500th anniversary. The anniversary was the occasion to work so much to come here. There is only one 2500^th anniversary. For us this is a very special moment to be part of the history. We have so many sports legends here coming from so many countries. Yesterday evening we had dinner with the presidents of all marathons in the world... I sat at a table with the president of the marathon in Tokyo. It is wonderful to be part of something like this...

How did you prepared for the marathon? You said that you will participate in the 5 km running.

My parents and I will run together. We will run the entire marathon distance. Because of my work, because I traveled so much lately, we were not able to finish our practices. We want to participate in the distance of 10 km. But because I have many interviews I will run only 5 (she laughs). But we are working with running. My mother has been running some time and she is doing great. My father also runs.

In this case you would expect to win the marathon?

I'll try (she laughs). My father also said: "Go, Maria. Forget about everybody we will run to win."  I told him: "OK, Dad. I will do that." I think it would be fun. I'm really glad that I will participate.

And now a question with a huge dose of imagination... This year's marathon celebrates the 2500^th anniversary. Can you, on the wings of imagination, travel into the future and imagine how it would look like after another 2500 years?

Ah, I do not know...! Maybe a way will be found to make it even greater. What about the route?... Oh, God! I think things will happen in the air. Somehow the running shoes will step into the air and running won’t be so painful for the feet of the participants.