Athletes dismayed by exclusion from Paris Olympics funding programme

Another two prominent Cypriot athletes have joined Serbian-born Cypriot track-and-field star Milan Trajkovic in his criticism of the Cyprus Olympic Committee (KOE) over its decision to withdraw funds allocated to sportspeople in preparation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Trajkovic’s fellow track-and-field athlete Apostolos Parellis and gymnast Marios Georgiou’s coach Panayiotis Petrides voiced their disappointment at the KOE on social media, calling its decision “unfair and unjustified.”

“The decision taken by the KOE leaves me very sad and disappointed. The financial side is just a side issue compared to the lack of respect they showed to athletes,” Parellis said in a post.

“In order to achieve what we have so far, apart from the financial support, it is also important to know we are not being left alone, to know that we are counted on and that the KOE is by our side.

“So, I’m wondering, what criteria did the KOE follow before taking the decision to withdraw the funds allocated for our preparation to the next Olympic Games? How exactly do they benefit from it?

“All this sends a very negative message to the next generation of athletes who want to follow our footsteps. I feel sorry for them,” Parellis said.

“I was sadly informed that Marios will not receive the funds he was promised by the KOE in preparation for Paris 2024,” Petrides added on behalf of Georgiou in another post.

“Ten gold medals, two silver medals, three bronze medals and two Olympic participations at the age of 23 apparently are not enough for him to be supported.

“All this after we received constant reassurance about the funds during the last Olympic Games in Tokyo from people at the KOE who said they will always be at his side.

“We are all wondering what pushed them to take this decision. Whatever the reason, I want to reassure that we will do everything to qualify for the next Olympics in Paris,” Petrides concluded.

Replying to the athletes on Friday, KOE’s vice-president Giotis Ioannides said the grants are only provided to young athletes struggling financially in order to train and compete at the highest level.

“For many years, the KOE has provided financial support to all athletes, even those who can afford to train full-time and who are known to already have sponsors they can count on,” Ioannides said.

“We now have to adhere to what the grants are intended for, and that is helping young athletes in need so that one day, they will also be able to secure sponsors that will allow them to train without having to worry about financial issues,” the KOE vice-president concluded.