State's duty is to support its athletes, Sports Minister says ahead of Olympic Games

Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athena Michailidou has said that the state has a duty to support the Cypriot athletes, especially at the championship level, noting that there are already plans towards further support.

In an interview with CNA ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, the Minister congratulated the 15 athletes who qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as the three athletes that will participate in the Paralympic Games, which start in a few days, and pointed out that "we are already very proud just by their participation."

"The participation in the Olympic Games is a great honour for them as well as for our country," she stressed.

Cyprus will participate with 15 athletes in the Olympic Games and three in the Paralympics. "We feel so much pride, that a small country like Cyprus will be present, competing and being represented together with much bigger countries that have a lot greater tradition in sports," she noted.

The Minister talked about the importance of funding and support from the state.

The most important, Michailidou continued, is the increase in funding and resources, pointing out that financial support is already in the government's plans.

"The development of infrastructure, the construction of new sports centers, talent development programmes, the interconnection of sports with school sports are of critical importance," she noted.

The Minister of Education, Sports and Youth talked to CNA about the actions that the state is examining so as to give further aid and support to Cypriot sports - both financially and in terms of equipment and infrastructure. She also talked about  how they will help all athletes after the end of their careers and how they will promote and strengthen Cypriot sports. 

Michailidou also referred  to the Commonwealth Sports Ministers' Summit and the fact that Cyprus is one of the two European countries that will participate.

It is important for Cyprus, she said, to express its positions, get ideas, exchange expertise, "but above all to give good practices". 

She said that the Cypriot athletes and the whole Cypriot delegation are "ambassadors of Cyprus" and wished them to "just do their best, enjoy this participation, as it will be a unique experience."

(Source: CNA)