Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Monday presented teen track athlete Eleftheria Panayiotou, with an honorary plaque for receiving last May a Fair Play Award at the World School Sport Games, also known as the ISF Gymnasiade, for assisting a fellow athlete who had an accident during the 200 metres race.
The high school pupil was received at the Presidential Palace with her parents, where President Anastasiades congratulated her both for her good performance at the games but also her ethos.
The President said he felt the need to invite Eleftheria at the Presidential Place and present her with an honorary plaque to express the gratitude of the State for the fact that, rather than focusing on finishing in one of the top spots she chose to help a fellow athlete who had an accident during the race. He said this was an act, which, “sets an example for all our young people.”
He also said that he feels “particularly proud” because 21 of the 22 athletes from Cyprus who participated in the Gymnasiade, managed to be in the top eight. “We received a total of 12 medals which proves the important work carried out through the sports schools but also through the important efforts of the physical education teachers and coaches,” he said.
Around 3,500 athletes from 67 countries took part in the Gymnasiade that took place in Normandy last May.
Source: Cyprus News Agency