The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (EEA), Isidoros Kouvelos Together with Secretary General Stefanos Chandakas, they welcomed the European champion in the rings, Lefteris Petruniato congratulate him on his recent success at the European Gymnastics Championship where he won the historic 8th gold in the competition.
Together with Lefteris Petrounia were Dimitris Rafti’s coach but also the President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation Vassilis Tsolakidis, Secretary General Nikos Provia, Olympic Gymnastics and President of the National Olympic Academy.
“Lefteris called you here to thank you for once again proud. You have given us great joy and deserve congratulations to the whole team that supports you, to your coach Dimitris Rafti and of course to the people of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation for the successes the sport brings to the country. I want you to always be strong and have health, this is the basic. The Federation is close to you and we will be close to you so you can continue with successes, ” said Isidoros Kouvelos addressing Petrounia, then stressing the positive influence he has on all Greeks:
“You’re a real model. You bring kids close to sports, you are a very dear person all over the world. Continue to illuminate young people to come on the road. Not everyone can become Olympians, but they are persuaded to come to sports, it is the most important. It is a unique journey and you Olympians can drive them on this road. I know the problems you had with injuries but you are a racing and you are overcoming everything. You are a winner in both the athletic track and the life. “
Lefteris Petrounias responding to the President of the EEA, he said: “Thanks for being with us President and I know well that you are with us from the first moment. You were a very important factor that everything went smoothly in the federation after the turbulence that existed, you had a great contribution to it. And we know what you feel about sports. You know the needs of the sport and we are sure you will try to help in any way you can. “
The President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation, Vassilis Tsolakidis, stressed: “Dear President you were with us from the first moment. You continue to be with us, you care about us, and it is characteristic that once Lefteris ended his fight in the European, the first phone call was from you. This shows how far you are and thank you as a gym administration and as athletes. “
Secretary General Nikos Provia referred to lack of fitness facilities: “Greek gymnastics suffer from lack of facilities. The venues that have existed since 2003 and brought four Olympic medals and other great awards, unfortunately there are no. We have promised many things but we do not have a solution, and we are accepting a lot of pressure to leave St. Kosmas immediately and in late August, children and guesthouses have to leave. “