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| Dr. Stathis Avramidis presents ISHOF's "Harold Martin Award 2017" to Dr. Klaus Wilkens. |
Honors for Dr. Klaus Wilkens by ISHOF-EOYDA in Greece
Alimos, Greece, 14/10/2017: The Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activity-Fishing (EOYDA) and the International Swimming Hall of fame honored Dr. Klaus Wilkens for his outstanding lifetime achievements to water safety among children and lifesaving sport.
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| Mr. Anagnostou honors Dr. Wilkens with an EOYDA Award. |
The Board of
Directors, of EOYDA honored Dr. Klaus Wilkens, Honorary Lifetime
President of the International Life Saving Federation Europe, "for his worldwide contributions to the
evolution of applied lifeguarding and lifesaving sport". The
presentation was made by the Vice President of the Federation, Kostas Anagnostou.
The
International Swimming Hall of Fame honored Dr.
Klaus Wilkens, Honorary Lifetime President of the International Life Saving
Federation Europe with the "Judge Harold Martin Award 2017". The
award was "presented for long and exceptional leadership, insight and dedication to
the water safety of children and the cause of making Every Child A Swimmer". The presentation was made by the International
Swimming Hall of Fame's two times award recipient, Dr. Stathis Avramidis.
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| The EOYDA Board of Directors, Lucas Bistarakis, and Stathis Avramidis aplauded Dr. Klaus Wilkens for his lifetime achievements in advancing lifeguarding and lifesaving sport worlwide. |
The awarding ceremony took place at the opening of the 3rd National Pan-Hellenic Lifesaving Sport Championship. Klaus had the opportunity to meet Lucas Bistarakis, the "father" of professional Greek lifeguarding, whose organization was member of F.I.S. in the past. Bistarakis paid a tribute to Dr. Wilkens' outstanding achievements.
Dr. Wilkens played an active role in the work of the championship by meeting people, presenting medals and trophies to the winning teams and been photographed by Greek athletes, coaches and club chairman, who felt flattered by his presence in the event. Everyone left with an extremely positive comment about his gentle gesture, lifetime achievements and kindness. Pantelis Avramidis, the oldest sport lifesaver of the championship said: "Klaus is a very wise man. He has the ability to impress you from the first 10 minutes". Stelios Xenakis, sport lifesaving champion said that "Dr. Wilkens, has the power to transform our sport with his initiatives allowing Greece to participate in the international competition". Vagelis Rakantas (EOYDA President), commented: "Klaus' presence in our championship is one of the finest moments for the history of Greek lifesaving sport". Natasha Moschidou (Atlantes Team Coach) added: "We were flattered to be photographed with such gentleman and wonderful person. All my athletes liked him instantly". Dr. Stathis Avramidis said: "Klaus belongs to a group of extraordinaly individuals that deserved so much to become members of the Hall of Fame family. I am honored to have nominated succesfully and that he came to Greece to accept his award". Dimitris Galinas (EOYDA Secretary General) and Costas Anagnostou (EOYDA Vice President), expressed their enthusiasm for having met and discussed with him during the championship and the dinner. Lucas Bistarakis, the "father" of Greek professional lifeguarding and founder of the Sector of Lifeguarding in the Hellenic Red Cross, was extremely satisfied to meet Klaus in person, whom he knew for 40 years.
Dr. Avramidis had accepted last August the award on behalf of Dr. Wilkens, at the Annual Paragon and ISHOF honoree ceremony in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA. To watch the video and read more, click here.
