Cypriot Paralympic athlete Karolina Pelendritou reported encountering discriminatory treatment from a taxi driver in Greece who refused to transport her guide dog.
The incident involved the visually impaired athlete and a driver who declined service, stating: “What am I supposed to do if the dog urinates inside the car?”
Pelendritou responded: “Do you know what a guide dog means? You have no right to refuse the dog, and if I call police you will face immediate prosecution.”
The driver insisted, saying: “I will face prosecution? The taxi is mine and I make the decisions.”
Pelendritou’s social media post regarding the incident became viral in Greece and Cyprus, generating dozens of comments criticising the driver’s behaviour.
Pelendritou, 39, has competed in six Paralympic Games since Athens 2004, winning eight medals, including three gold, two silver and three bronze. She broke the world record in the 100m breaststroke SB11 at Tokyo 2021.
The athlete was the first living person to appear on a Cypriot stamp in 2004 following her inaugural Paralympic gold medal. She has served as EU ambassador for various disability rights initiatives.
At Paris 2024, Pelendritou won 80 per cent of all Cyprus Paralympic medals ever awarded, with Cyprus’s only other medals coming from runner Antonis Aresti at Beijing 2008.
