The Hellenic Olympic Committee’s Gender Equality Commission held a memorable event, filled with brilliance and deep emotion. Led by Commission President Vasiliki Millousi, this initiative aimed to promote gender equality and recognize the invaluable contributions of women in sports.

The evening featured the awarding of grants to athletes and parent-athletes who participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as the recognition of women who excelled in significant roles during the games, including coaches, judges, referees, physiotherapists, and administrative staff.

Athletes, accompanied by their families, went on stage to receive their awards, inspiring admiration and showcasing their integrity and strength both on and off the field, always supported by their partners and parents. Among those honored were athletes Kostas Papanikolaou (Basketball), Lefteris Petrounias (Artistic Gymnastics), Makis Mitas (Shooting), Vyron Kokkalanis (Sailing), Giannis Fountoulis (Water Polo), and the remarkable woman-mother of Team Hellas, Alexandra Asimaki (Water Polo). Christian Gkolomeev (Swimming), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Basketball), and Nick Calathes (Basketball) were also awarded.

This event, the final one of the Hellenic Olympic Committee for this Olympic cycle, also honored the women who served as coaches and team leaders in the “Paris 2024” Olympic Games: Alexia Kammenou (women’s water polo), Ioanna Siomou (athletics), Katerina Alexopoulou (athletics), Anastasia Gutseva, Natalia Chernetska (artistic swimming). Evi Moraitidou and Sofia Sakorafa were also presented with awards as captains of the women’s water polo and athletics teams.

Special accolades were also given to judges, referees and international federation members for their contribution to the sports they serve: Voula Kozomboli (water polo), Despina Karabela (artistic swimming), Natalia Markopoulou (women’s water polo), Pavlina Georgiou (wrestling), Lia Nikolaou (wrestling).

Physiotherapists were also recognised for their vital support to Team Hellas athletes: Elisavet Anastasaki (athletics), Ivana Duric (gymnastics), Ioanna Fouka (rowing), Eleni Vloutoglou (sailing), Stavroula Neochoritis (shooting), Natalia Skarpeti (water polo). EOE staff were also celebrated for their contributions to the team’s headquarters: Alexandra Grispou, Tenia Mavropoulou, Vasia Mazanitou, Katerina Sagona, Vaia Benjaballah and the volunteers of the Equality Committee.

Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos highlighted the importance of equality for the global progress of sports, stating: “We may have achieved 50-50 athlete representation between men and women, but in other areas, especially in high positions, administrative roles, coaches, referees, judges, we do not have enough women. There will be a significant effort from the IOC, as the numbers are disappointing across Europe, to provide incentives for these women to continue striving.” Concluding, he spoke with emotion about the athletes’ great achievements: “I want to congratulate all those who will be awarded. It’s not just about the allowance you receive, but mainly the moral value of the awards, recognizing the tremendous effort you make as parents while achieving high performance in sports.”

President Millousi highlighted the Committee’s actions to support women in sport and emphasised the importance of equal leadership. Iris Vlachoutsikos’s speech highlighted the progress made, while EOE Secretary General Manolis Kolimpadis closed the evening with a message about the need for equal opportunities in sport.

The event was also attended by the President of the International Olympic Academy, Isidoros Kouvelos, who sent his own message for equal opportunities in sport and sports administration. The ceremony effectively showed the human side of sport beyond the medals and awards, as the Hellenic Olympic Committee demonstrated its ongoing commitment to promoting equality and supporting women who are making a dynamic contribution to sport.