COC President expresses high hopes for local athletes
MORE than 30,000 Greek Cypriots, including President Tassos Papadopoulos, will be attending the Olympic Games in Athens, according to Cyprus Olympic Committee President Kikis Lazarides.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Lazarides said interest by Cypriots in the Games had surpassed all expectations.
Lazarides, who travelled to Athens on Saturday, said Papadopoulos would be among those Cypriots attending along with members of his cabinet. Papadopoulos will attend the opening and the closing ceremony of the Games and will mainly watch field and track events. CNA said.
”What’s happening is amazing. Thousands of people from Cyprus plan to go to Athens for the Games,” Lazarides said, adding that every day he received dozens of calls from people either looking for tickets or asking to be a volunteer.
”We are trying to help them in every way and all indications lead to the conclusion that thousands of our compatriots will be in Athens. Even though it is difficult to determine the exact number of Cypriots that will watch the Games I estimate that they will be more than 30,000,” Lazarides said.
He said that from the very beginning Cypriots had considered the Athens Olympics “as their own” because of the very close bonds between Greece and Cyprus.
On August 25, Papadopoulos will visit the Olympic Village and will have lunch with the Cyprus delegation.
”The President will watch many events. He especially likes track and field events and that is why he preferred to be in Athens during the period when they will take place. But he also plans to watch other events such as football matches and events with Cyprus’ participation,” Lazardies said.
Foreign Minister George Iacovou, Defence Minister Kyriakos Mavronicolas, Communications and Works Minister Haris Thrasou plus government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides will be amongst the Cypriot officials attending the Games.
Commenting on the likely performance of the Cypriot teams, Lazarides appeared to be optimistic.
”We are talking about the most important athletic event. And its level is very high. To be able to participate in the Games is an achievement alone,” he added.
Cyprus will be represented in the Olympics by 19 athletes as well as by five athletes in the Paralympics to be held next month in the Greek capital.
”Particularly in the shooting (skeet), field and track and sailing events we have indications that our athletes will be successful,” Lazarides said.
