The Haitian Federation of Aquatic
Sports receives the GLSA Organization of the Year Award 2021 at the Greek
Lifesaving Cup
Glyfada, Greece 26.09.2021. The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association proudly presents the GLSA Organization of the Year 2021 to the Haitian Federation of Aquatic Sports.
The presentation took place at the illustrious opening ceremony of the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021. The event was attended by about 250 athletes and guests of 5 nations (Greece, Cyprus, UK, USA and Haiti). It was a historical event that coincided with the national celebration of 200 years of Greek Independence.
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| Dr. Evenel Mervelus is interviewed at the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021. |
The
President Dr. Evenel Mervelus, accepted the award on behalf of the Haitian
Federation by the GLSA President Dr. Stathis Avramidis. At his acceptance
speech he said: “We are truly proud to be here. Haiti and Greece have a common
history and we are here to celebrate it. If the Haitian President Jean Pierre Boyer was alive, he would be very proud
too for this day.” His speech deeply touched everyone in the audience
and was applauded.
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| Mrs and Mr. Mervelus with the organizer of the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021, Stathis Avramidis. |
The GLSA President Dr. Stathis Avramidis said: “We proudly present our highest honor to the descendants of a great nation that tried to help our ancestors to gain their freedom. Haiti became a friend of Greece in 1822 before anyone else. One hundred young Haitian soldiers lost their lives at sea on their way to Greece. As a lifesaving sport organization that GLSA is and as a naval nation full of history that Greece is, we are obliged to always remember and honor their sacrifice. We are happy that after 200 years, the Haitians managed to reach the coast of Greece represented by your team!”
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| L-R: Dr. Stathis Avramidis, Dr. Vicky Bafataki, Dr. Evenel Mervelus, Mr. John Long. |
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| L-R: Dr. Stathis Avramidis (President, Greek Lifesaving Sports Association), Kiriakos Giannoupoulos (President, Hellenic Swimming Federation), Dr. Evenel Mervelus (President, Haitian Federation of Aquatic Sports) |
At the opening ceremony, the two presidents performed an act full of symbolism. They threw water from the seas of Haiti and Greece to the pool to ensure that the championships would take place in water blended by both countries.
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| The Greek and Haitian Presidents throw water from their seas to the swimming pool at the opening ceremony to symbolize the unity of the two countries at the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021. |
The
Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021 was held under the auspice of the Committee “Greece
2o21” and 12 important organizations (Princess
Charlene of Monaco Foundation, International Swimming Hall of Fame, International
Federation of Swimming Teachers’ Association, Hellenic Olympic Winners
Association, Hellenic Navy Seals, Make the Minute Matter, British
Universities' Lifesaving Club Association, Hellenic Olympians Association, International Giuseppe Sciacca Awards, Hellenic Swimming Federation,
Hellenic Water Polo Coaches Association, Academy Society and Sports.)
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| Dr. Evenel Mervelus with Emilie (L) and Naomi (R) Grand'Pierre, Olympian swimmers and GLSA Supporters, after their podium placement at the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021. |
The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association was founded in
2020 in loving memory of 3 relatives that lost their lives at sea with the aim
to bridge public health with sports for injury prevention. It is the only
licensed organization in Greece to conduct lifesaving sport as sports recreational/sports
tourist activity by the General Secretariat of Sports – Hellenic Ministry of
Sports. It achieves its aims by water safety teaching, publications, lifesaving
sport championships and alliances with national and international
organizations. More about the event can be found here.
