Roundup: Greek Olympic team brings home hope for recession-hit country

The Greek Olympic team was honored by Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Thursday at the Presidential mansion, bringing home with them not only their winning medals, but also hope for the future to the recession-hit country.

As Greece has been struggling with its deepening debt crisis for the past seven years and economic recession, the return of Olympic athletes filled Greek people with pride and excitement for the six medals and the 26th ranking in the medal tally.

Greece won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals in Rio, marking its fifth (5th) best performance in the history of modern Olympics.

Greek shooter Anna Korakaki won one gold and one bronze in the 25-meter pistol and 10-meter pistol, followed by a gold medal from world rings champion Eleftherios Petrounias.

Swimmer Spyridon Gianniotis came second in the men's 10-kilometer marathon swimming. The pole vault champion Katerina Stefanidi won a gold medal, while Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis won the bronze medal in the men's 470 sailing race.

Despite difficulties and against all odds, Greek athletes left their print on the world map of sports proving that hard work, faith and devotion finally pays off.

The Olympic gold medalist in still rings artistic gymnastics Eleftherios Petrounias, who received a hero's welcome at the Athens international airport on Thursday, referred to the Greek state support upon his arrival.

"The state did what it could, but we want more support. If we managed to get six medals under these conditions, with a little more help we could do miracles," he said.

Dedicating the gold to the Greek people, the "Lord of the rings", as foreign and Greek media refer to Petrounias, stressed that "behind a medal like this you can find the character and ethos of an athlete."

The president of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation, Thanasis Vassileiadis acknowledging the state's limited support said, "a country with so insurmountable problems, cannot offer what in reality would give. At least, they did not put up any barrier."

"The Federation offered the best they could, all members, athletes, coaches and administrative personnel became a family and we brought the desired outcome," he told Xinhua.

In addition, for the preparation of the athletes, there was huge support from abroad, he noted.

"The World and European Federation offered equipment worth 300,000 euros for our athletes to prepare for the Games," Vassileiadis added.

To the lack of infrastructure and the malfunctioning training facilities, referred also Pavlopoulos during the ceremonial reception of the Olympic athletes in the Presidential mansion.

"The restoration of sports center has started, so that you and all the next athletes can do your job. I will do my best to make your life easier. We owe it to you," Pavlopoulos stressed.

As state funding to sports has been slashed dramatically and especially to Olympic athletes has been cut since 2009, the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) turned to private funding with the sponsorship program "Adopt an athlete on the way to Rio 2016".

A total of 55 athletes were provided funding for their preparation by private businesses, banks and individuals, according to HOC's statement. Endit