The Cyprus National Paralympic Committee announced on Monday it will file a formal complaint with the European Parliament against MEP Fidias Panayiotou, following his use of derogatory language toward individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The decision follows a weekend of public backlash triggered by a podcast episode in which Panayiotou used the term “pelloi” (madmen) to describe Paralympic athletes. Andreas Georgiou, the President of the Committee, told state television that the board is “bitter and outraged,” asserting that the MEP’s behaviour necessitates intervention from Brussels to address a breach of institutional conduct.
The controversy erupted during a broadcast featuring Loizos Chrysanthou, a 21-year-old Paralympic swimmer and prospective parliamentary candidate. When Chrysanthou explained the S-14 classification for athletes with intellectual impairments, Panayiotou, who rose to prominence as a social media influencer, interrupted to ask if the category was for “the pelloi.”
Despite the athlete immediately correcting it, the MEP’s remarks have been condemned by civil society and political parties, including DISY, as a “vulgar” regression to rhetoric that “belongs to the dark ages.” Georgiou argued that Panayiotou appears to confuse his institutional role with entertainment, stressing that a representative attempting to introduce “new morals” to politics has a duty to be more studied and respectful.
Special Olympics Cyprus joined the condemnation on Monday, stating that the use of language which ridicules vulnerable groups violates the fundamental principles of human dignity. The federation rejected Panayiotou’s attempt to frame the remarks as a “misunderstanding,” noting that public figures bear a heightened responsibility for their speech as it directly shapes social attitudes.
“He and those who support him must understand that he needs to get serious,” Georgiou added, noting that disability advocacy is not a matter for social media engagement metrics.
Panayiotou has yet to issue the institutional apology demanded by the advocacy groups.
Read more:
