SPYROS GIANNIOTIS OLY BECOMES A GLSA SUPPORTER
Greece 13.02.2020. The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association proudly announces the inclusion of the Olympic Medalist Spyros Gianniotis in the team of the GLSA Supporters.
Spyros Gianniotis said about his appointment: "Drowning is a serious public health problem in Greece. Lifesaving sport is an amazing means for injury prevention. It allows literally everyone (athletes, lifeguards, rescuers, first aiders, general public) to learn how to save a life in a fascinating way. I have witnessed international lifesaving championships and felt their excitement and passion. I gladly support the evolution of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association to serve such a supreme goal in my homeland. It came to heal, unite and train, and because of that, it deserves my respect."
Spyros Gianniotis is a Greek competitive swimmer who
specialises in long-distance and open-water freestyle events. He is
an Olympic silver medalist, two-time World Champion, World Cup gold
medalist, and two-time European Champion. A five-time Olympian,
Gianniotis has won a total of 15 medals in major international long-course competition,
totalling 5 gold, 5 silver, and 5 bronze spanning the Olympics, the World
Championships, the World Cup and the European Championships. In
2011 he won the World Open Water Swimmer of the Year award, becoming
the first and only Greek swimmer to earn that distinction. He won the silver
medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio at the 10 km marathon
swim. Initially, Gianniotis was given as the gold medalist as he appeared to
cross the finish line first, but the Dutchman Ferry Weertman touched
the timing pad before him. After 15 minutes of deliberations by the judges and
the use of photo finish, Weertman was awarded the gold medal and Gianniotis the
silver, despite the fact that both were credited with the same time: 1 hour, 52
minutes, 59.8 seconds (1:52:59.8). Gianniotis won the silver medal at the age
of 36, being the oldest competitor in the event. He won three individual medals
at the 2005 Mediterranean Games. He has represented Greece at five
consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 2000. In 2011 he became world
champion in the 10 km open water at the world championships in
Shanghai. Gianniotis also claimed gold at the 2013 World Aquatics
Championships in Barcelona in the men's 10 km open water
swimming. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens Gianniotis
took the 5th place in the 1500 m freestyle and the 7th place at 400
m freestyle. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, he was 4th at
the 10 km marathon swim, missing the bronze medal by 5 seconds. He was
inducted in the 2020 class of the International Marathon
Swimming Hall of Fame, Class of 2020 as an Honour
Swimmer.
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. His last race made all us cry from pride not only for his
remarkable and heroic ending that took him on the podium of the Olympic Games
but also for his ethos. We are honored to have Spyros among the team of the
GLSA Supporters."
