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Antenna News in English 300796Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.grNews in English, of 30/07/1996TITLES
G.MEDAL/PYRROSGreece has won three gold medals at the centenery Olympics. Two came in weightlifing, and one in gymnastics.It all started Friday night, when Pyrros Dimas won a weight-lifing gold with a world record. 25-year-old Pyrros Dimas gets gold in the Greek column at the Golden Olympics in Atlanta, lifting in the 83-kilo category. The gym fell silent as he lifted a world-record 180 kilos in the jerk, Dimas added 213 kilos in the snatch, copping first place with a world-record total of 392.5 kilos. The six thousand spectators at Atlanta's World Congress Center, and countless millions of television viewers all over the world admired the champion, who knew that the tough, systematic training programme he's followed over the past several years would help him lift all of Hellenism to glory. Greece's political leaders sent their congratulations. Prime minister Kostas Simitis said, "The greatness of your victory was matched by your big smile. You lifted not just the weights, but all of Greece a little bit higher". New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert said "We're proud of you and thank you. Continue to honour Greece. Be an example for our country's youth". Greece got its second Olympic gold medal in weight-lifting from Akakios Kakiashvilli, lifting in the 99-kilos category. Kaki also sets a world record, lifting 235 kilos in the snatch and lifting a total of 420 kilos. Kaki's record lift in the snatch carried him from third place to gold. The crowd watched breathless as he hoisted the 235 kilos. Later, the Greek national anthem was heard once again in Atlanta. G.MEDALS/MELISSANIDESGreece's third gold medal of the weekend came just four hours later. Yiannis Melissanides won first place in the gymnastics floor exercises.His family and friends in Thessaloniki can't believe that the young man participating in his first Olympics came away with a gold medal. Yiannis Melissanides saw a dream come true: he took his place on the highest step of the Olympic winners' podium. Former Greek king Constantine, an honorary member of the international Olympic committee presented him with the medal. As the Greek national anthem played, Yiannis sang the words along with millions of Greeks around the world. Full of patriotic pride afterwards, Melissanides said "before I started my programme, I close my eyes and remembered what my teacher had told me once. I think they're the words of our national poet, Dionysios Solomos: 'Close Greece inside you and you'll feel every glory'. That's what I did, I closed my eyes and imagined I was in Greece, that these Olympics should have been held in Greece. I wanted to prove to everyone watching that I, representing Greece, was Greece itself". Greece feels well represented. Like Greece's gold-winning weight-lifters, Melissanides was sent cables of congratulations from the prime minister and the leaders of the opposition parties. Thessaloniki is gushing with pride, especially the young champion's family. Yiannis' mother, Katerina Melissanides, said, "We cried and laughed at the same time when we heard about what he'd done. His father is overjoyed, and eagerly awaiting his return. Yiannis' brother Spyros and his sister Maria said the main thing they're feeling is pride, because the national anthem was heard all over the world as a Greek athlete raised the Greek flag on the winner's podium. Thessaloniki is going to give the city's gold key to all the Greek Olympic gold medal winners. Yiannis Melissanides has touched the hearts of millions before. In September 1994, he dedicated the gold medal he'd won at the European championships to a Turkish fellow-athlete who had just been killed. He said at the time that he'd considered it is duty to win the gold, because only that would honour the memory of the deceased athlete. SILVER/KOKASAs we heard earlier, two of Greece's three weekend gold medals came in weight-lifting. Greece's weight-lifting "Dream Team" has also picked up some silver. Leonidas Kokkas won second place in the 91- kilo category.Thanking God, for helping him reach the winners' podium, Leonidas Kokkas celebrated with Greece. He later celebrated with his close friend Pyrros Dimas, whom he's shared a room with for the past several months. "I couldn't believe it", said Kokkas. "I dedicate everything to the God, because he helped me make it". Kokkas lifted 215 kilos in the jerk and 175 in the snatch for a second-place 390 kilo total. IAKOVOSWell, Greece's Olympic athletes aren't the only ones celebrating. Orthodox archbishop of the America's Iakovos celebrated his 85th birthday Monday. Monday is also the day when his resignation officially takes effect, ending his 37-year term as archbishop.Deeply moved, Archbishop Iakovos said his last mass as archbishop at Agia Triada cathedral in New York. He made a symbolic offering of his vestments to the keeper of the church, Charalambos Stephanopoulos, Clinton advisor George Stephanopoulos's father. Saying farewell to his flock, Iakovos expressed his certainty that Hellenism in America, mature and self-confident, will always move forward, and maintain its strong presence in American society. Throughout his term as archbishop, Iakovos defended the rights of Greeks in the US. He also stood beside reverend Martin Luther King in his fight against racism. Iakovos's successor will be elected by the Ecumenical Synod on Tuesday. EVERTNew Democracy leader Miltiades Evert says his tours of Greece have two aims: to give him a first-hand look at the problems people are facing; and to encourage other politcial party leaders to make similar tours.Evert made the comment as he wrapped up his tour of the Dodecanese islands this weekend. It was his third trip in the past several weeks to the Greek islands. Sitting not far from Turkey, the Dodecanese are particularly vulnerable to hostile Turkish propaganda, and are also particularly vulnerable to Turkish militarism. In January, Turkey landed troops on the Greek isle of Imia, claiming it as Turkish. During his tour of the area, Evert flew over Imia in a military helicopter, giving his response to the Turkish claims. "I flew over all of Greece's small islands and rocks in the Dodecanese", said Evert. Why should I exclude the Imia? We shouldn't be afraid to fly over Imia". The opposition leader said the best way of defending the Greek islands is to promote their economic development. On the islands of Nissyros, Tilos, Chalki and Symi, Evert was briefed on the problems faced by residents. PAPANDREOUForty days have passed since the death of Andreas Papandreou, the former prime minister and founder of Pasok.Sunday, Pasok and his family held a memorial service at his graveside. His second wife, Margaret Papandreou, his third wife, Dimitra Liani Papandreou, his children and his grandchildren were all there. The still-fresh grief was written on the faces of his loved ones. His former political associates, those who had spent several decades in his political camp, also had heavy hearts. Among them was prime minister Kostas Simitis. Pasok central committee secretary Kostas Skandalides said "Andreas Papandreou is with us and guides us. He's immortal". Cries of "Immortal" also rose from the crowd present to honour the man who left such a large mark on Greek history. ALIKIGreece is mourning another popular figure. The late actress Aliki Vouyouklaki died seven days ago. People continue to visit her grave, leaving flowers, notes, favourite possessions, or simply uttering a few words.Many say, "She's not dead. She lives in our hearts". Others go to her theatre in central Athens, making entries in the book of remembrance that has been opened there. Actor Fedonas Georgitsis said, "I stopped by to tell her I love her and I miss her". Hundreds of messages from her fans in Greece and all over the world are recorded in the book. One woman came from Australia to write a dedication from her and her mother, who at the age of 89 is still entertained by Aliki's movies. KRITIAFor forty years the "Akritia" has been held in the remote town of Kato Nevrokopi in northern Greece. Every July 25th, 26th and 27th, residents run special cultural events to make their area better known for its culture, and its fun.Antenna television went to Nevrokopi this week- end and talked to mayor Argyris Patakakis, the man who's trying to put the town on the entertainment map. "These events play a significant role for the region, because through them we send messages out to all of Greece", he says. Akritia 1996 was a fair of joy and creation. There was kayaking on Lefkoyia Lake, parachute jumps overhead, and on terra firma, folk dances and concerts. The fair is attended by thousands of visitors from nearby regions every year. © ANT1-Radio 1996Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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