NERY NIANGKOUARA OLY BECOMES A GLSA SUPPORTER
Greece 14.02.2020. The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association proudly announces the inclusion of the Olympian Nery Mantey Niangkouara in the team of the GLSA Supporters.
Nery Mantey Niangkouara said about her appointment:
"Swimming molded my carrier.
Lifeguarding saves lives. Lifesaving sport brings the two elements together. As
athlete and mother I have full understanding of the importance of water safety.
We live in a planet that is composed 75% by water and we are hardly safe. We
want to ensure that our and future generations will be 100% safe. Whereas the
traditional methods have failed to achieve such ambitions target, lifesaving
sport provides an excellent opportunity. It is exciting, innovative,
educational and adventurous. The games take place in a recreational manner
allowing us to compete as a family. I highly commend the Greek Lifesaving
Sports Association and
support its vision to make our country safer through this amazing sport. It is
exciting to compete in a sport with humanitarian purpose!”
Nery Mantey Niangkouara is a Greek swimmer. She began her
career at Nereus Halandri and then moved on to Panathinaikos. In 2001, she
won 2 silver medals at the Mediterranean Games in the 100m and relay
races. She was 5th in the European Championships in 2002 in Relay 4Ch100. She
won the first medal for the Greek colors in the European Swimming
Championships in Madrid, with a time of 55.05 in the 100m free. In
the 2004 Olympics in Athens she was 6th in the 100m free and 7th in
the 50 meters, and was disqualified in the 4×100m free. At the end of July 2005
she took 7th place at the World Aquatics Championships in Montreal in the final
of the 100m free. In 2006, she continued her streak of very good performances.
Neri Niangkouara qualified for the final 100 meters free with performance of
the 2nd semi (54.63, record, old 54.81 own by August 14, 2004) the European
Aquatic Championships in Budapest in August 2006. Niangkouara managed to finish
in third place in the final, August 2, 2006, with the national record (54.48).
The old record was all of the previous day, 54.63. In 2007 Niagkouara had good
position in the International Military Games in India in the 50 meter
freestyle, and finished in 6th place with 25.65. In November 2007, Neri
announced her decision to retire. However, she came back in style in 2012,
competing at the Olympics again. As of September 2013 she is also a
swimming trainer of Panathinaikos' youth academies. She is the daughter of
a Kenyan father and a Greek mother. She is a Board Member of the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association and the Hellenic Olympians Association.
GLSA President, Dr. Stathis Avramidis said: "GLSA
was founded on 4-2-2020. Since then it became the home of lifesaving sport in
Greece and a respected organization with national origin and international
impact. We are truly honored to be associated with such an outstanding athlete
and person like Nery. We grew up with her achievements. Her non-assuming and
down to Earth personality makes everyone to feel comfortable with her. She is a
star that remains modest. We are privileged to have Nery among the team of the
GLSA Supporters."
