Greece’s Olympic Athletes for Paris 2024 Honored by Regional Authority of Attica

Photo source: Region of Attica

The regional authority of Attica celebrated Greece’s Olympic athletes in a special mid-October event held at the Stoa of Attalus in Athens.

The Greek Olympic team, set to compete in the summer 2024 Paris Olympics, was honored in the presence of numerous government officials and representatives from athletic and social organizations. The ceremony recognized ten Greek Olympic medalists with special awards.

“Supporting sports is a conscious political choice for us,” said Region of Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias, as he expressed gratitude to the athletes representing Greece at the Olympics. “We aim to make your commitment to kind competition, dedication, respect for one another, and fair play a model for all.”

Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias. Photo source: Region of Attica

Governor Hardalias also announced the signing of a contract worth €5.7 million for the Athens Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA), paving the way for athletes to have a modern, fully operational, and safe facility within a year.

He further highlighted the recent decision by the Regional Authority of Attica to fund the construction of the first National Para-Olympic Athletic Center in Rafina through the “Attica 2021-2027” program.

Speaking at the event, Spyros Kapralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, stated that Greece would participate in the Paris Olympic Games with 100 athletes, 57 of whom reached the top eight in their respective sports categories.

“We won eight medals, with ten of our athletes from six different sports standing on the podium,” he noted.

Kapralos added that the Hellenic Olympic Committee awarded 10,000-euro scholarships to each member of the Greek Olympic team. Additionally, upon returning from Paris, it was decided that all athletes who placed up to eighth in their sport would receive cash awards.

Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias and Hellenic Olympic Committee Presidetn Spyros Kapralos. Photo source: Region of Attica

The committee has also requested that the Greek government offer public service positions to all athletes who finish in the top eight at the Olympic Games.

Greece’s Olympic medal winners in Paris included:

– Miltos Tentoglou, Gold Medal, Long Jump
– Apostolos Christou, Silver Medal, Swimming (200 meters Breaststroke)
– Lefteris Petrounias, Bronze Medal, Gymnastic Rings
– Emmanouil Karalis, Bronze Medal, Pole Vault
– Theodoros Tselidis, Bronze Medal, Judo
– Ntaouren Kourouglief, Bronze Medal, Wrestling
– Antonis Papakonstantinou and Petros Gaidatzis, Bronze Medal, Rowing
– Zoi Fitsiou and Melina Kontou (bronze medal in rowing).

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni also congratulated the Olympic athletes and spoke about the ideals of the Olympic spirit.

“They represent high ideals, universal values that inspire us every day. We thank you for your efforts,” she said, acknowledging that each athlete has contributed to the promotion of these ideals.