History won’t forget Mr. Bistarakis and Dr. Vervaecke!
The World Lifesaving Championships 2022 were enlightening for the Greek member-athletes
of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association. The words are futile to express our
feelings. But without a doubt, two visionary men had a tremendous impact on us, that merit our appreciation.
In 1970’s, a Greek visionary man attempted to
facilitate the participation of Greece in the World Lifesaving Championships.
He founded the Hellenic Red Cross SCUBA and Lifeguard School and the
Pan-Hellenic Lifesaving Association that became a Full Member of Fédération
Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS). He tried with all his strength to
raise lifesaving sport awareness in Greece. Although he succeeded in spreading lifeguarding,
he failed on lifesaving sport. However, his dream inspired some of his
followers.
Several decades ago, a Belgian visionary man attempted
something difficult; he tried to bridge the past with the future at world level
for saving lives from drowning. He had to merge the existing organizations of
FIS and World Life Saving into one; the International Life Saving Federation
was born. Since then, this organization is growing year after year. One of its
most important activities is the World Lifesaving Championships. During the World
Lifesaving Championships 2022, wherever I went, everything was beautifully taken
care of by him or his colleagues. Everyone knew him. He created a large
organization, inspired thousands, created winners and followers. His presence
is evident online and onsite 24/7/365 always and everywhere like a sleepless flying
eagle. If he did not exist, we would need to invent him.
Because of the first one, I was able to dream and gave birth to lifesaving sport in Greece, the homeland of the Olympic Games. Because of the second one, I managed to make the dream come true and brought Greeks to the World Championships. Thank you Lucas Bistarakis and Dr. Harald Vervaecke. The Greek and the World lifesaving history will never forget you! Dr. Stathis Avramidis, President, Greek Lifesaving Sports Association.
