Silver medalist Pavlos Kontides who arrived on Friday to Cyprus from Paris Olympics was welcomed in the evening by his fans and local authorities at his hometown Limassol.
Kontides, the only Cyprus athlete to have received medals in Olympic games as he has also won a medal in the London 2012 Olympics, arrived by sea at the Limassol Nautical Club, accompanied by young athletes.
Mayor of Amathounta municipality Kyriakos Xydias announced that he will suggest to the municipal council to name the town’s beach avenue, to Pavlos Kontides avenue. There is already a statue of him in the city.
Head of Limassol Nautical Club Andreas Papadopoulos welcomed the silver medalist conveying his joy and pride. He described him as a role model for youth athletes in Cyprus, adding that he managed to take all of us on a journey that ended in celebrations and pride.
Papadopoulos thanked him for his achievements and all that he has done for the Club and also thanked the other athletes of the Club, Kalia Antoniou, Nikolas Antonio
u and Natasha Lappa.
Amathounta Mayor Kyriakos Xydias referred to Pavlos’ victories and great achievements adding that we need to enhance the sport potential Cyprus has.
Kontides said that after 12 years since the London Olympics, he is filled again with strong emotions, adding that despite all the difficulties and obstacles, he managed to have a victory in Paris.
He noted that our society today needs role models and the young generations need to be able to dream and aim high. He also thanked the Mayor saying that it was his childhood dream to win medals in the Olympics, to have his own statue in his hometown and a street named after him.
Source: Cyprus News Agency