Over the years, the state “has not done enough for sports and culture,” President Nikos Christodoulides admitted on Tuesday evening.

He promised that from now on the state would do everything possible in the direction of creating infrastructure for Cypriot athletes.

Speaking at an event at the presidential palace organised by the Cyprus Sports Organisation and the Olympians to present Cyprus’ Olympic and Paralympic teams, Christodoulides said this was something he felt strongly about.

“We have not done enough for sports and culture in this country,” he pointed out.

He expressed his belief that “it is the biggest investment we can make in this country.”

The president referred to poor infrastructure and said many athletes have to travel abroad to train.

“The least we can do as a state is to invest much more in infrastructure,” he said.

Christodoulides said “we approach you as one of the most important partners in the grand effort to upgrade Cypriot sports.”

Addressing the Cypriot athletes and members of the mission, he said he will be in Paris himself “to proudly watch you.”

“I cannot promise much. What I can say for sure is that as a state we will do everything we can in the direction of infrastructure,” he said.

The theme of Tuesday evening’s event was from the city of wisdom to the city of light, from Athens 1896 to Paris 2024.

CSO president Yiannis Ioannou referred to the importance of the Olympics since antiquity.

Addressing the athletes, he said “you are already winners and we thank you for the beautiful moments you have given us and for those to come.”

Turning to the president, he said it was imperative to establish a deputy ministry for sports.

“Our country and our sports need it,” he pointed out.

CSO vice-president Kalli Hadjiosif said the organisation would be publishing two albums about Cyprus and the Olympics.

The event was also attended by Greek Olympic gold medallist Voula Patoulidou, who won gold in Barcelona in 1992.

Patoulidou wished the Cypriot athletes all the best.