Dr Panagiotis Kontides, the father of double silver Olympic medalist Pavlos Kontides, expressed his immense happiness from Marseille, where the family is currently located, following his son’s recent success. “We need a few more days to realise the magnitude of this achievement,” he noted.
Dr Kontides highlighted the significance of Pavlos’s accomplishment, stating, “Slowly, we will be able to grasp the magnitude of this success,” especially since Cyprus had previously failed to win a medal at the Olympic Games, and now Pavlos has brought home a second Olympic medal.
When asked if he had anticipated his son’s success, Dr Kontides affirmed, explaining that Pavlos had consistently finished in the top six in all competitions over the past year. He attributed this success to Pavlos’s recent focus on mental and spiritual preparation, dedication, and concentration.
As a doctor, Dr Kontides also acknowledged the physical sacrifices champions endure, undergoing intense physical exertion for extended periods.
Regarding future aspirations, Dr Kontides stated that with Pavlos’s accumulated experience and his approach to managing competition, aiming for a gold Olympic medal in the future is a realistic goal.
He mentioned that the state supported Pavlos following his success at the 2012 Olympic Games but emphasised the importance of early identification and support for talents to help them develop and achieve positive results, rather than waiting for their success before offering support.
Dr Kontides sent a clear message about the need to develop sports infrastructure and support young talents, asserting that Pavlos is always willing to contribute to the development of Cypriot sports in any way he can.
Pavlos Kontides is the only Cypriot athlete to win an Olympic medal. He won the country’s first-ever medal in the London Olympics on August 6, 2012, before repeating his feat 12 years and a day later.
He is also a two-time European champion.
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