The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), Isidoros Kouvelos, hosted a dinner for the members of the women’s and men’s national water polo teams, who filled Greece with pride this summer through their great achievements at the World Championships in Singapore.

Mr. Kouvelos met with representatives of the women’s national team, who reached the top of the world, and the men’s team, who won the bronze medal, to personally thank them.
“You made us proud and brought us immense joy. You rightfully raised the Greek flag high, and we owe you a big thank you for the unforgettable moments we lived through your successes. The Hellenic Olympic Committee will always stand by the Federation and by you, on the road to the Los Angeles Olympic Games,” he said.

The HOC President also shared some great news about a €200,000 bonus that major HOC supporter Evangelos Marinakis and owner of the football clubs Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest, will give to the two national teams.
“I spoke with Mr. Vangelis Marinakis and encouraged him to grant a bonus as a reward, since the HOC itself cannot provide such prizes and can only fund the sports federations for Olympic preparation. Mr. Marinakis gladly agreed and will offer €100,000 to each national team, because we believe that the men’s bronze medal is worth as much as gold. The bonus will be distributed among the athletes, as well as the coaches and staff of each team, since everyone contributed to the two medals,” Mr. Kouvelos announced, exciting all those who were present.

The President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (HSF), Kyriakos Giannopoulos, added:
“Thank you very much for the bonus, the gifts, and the hospitality. We hope to enjoy many more evenings like this in the future.” He was joined by the federation’s First Vice President, Giorgos Afroudakis, and water polo director, Grigoris Dededes.

Representing the women’s national water polo team were coach Haris Pavlidis, captain Eleftheria Plevritou, and players Maria Myriokefalitaki, Vaso Plevritou, Maria Patra, Sofia Tornarou, and Nefeli Krassa.

Also attending the dinner alongside the HOC President was Petros Synadinos, Chef de Mission for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, who also congratulated the members of both national water polo teams.