Greek Olympic champion, Miltiadis Tentoglou, won first place for long jump at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Thursday.
The five-time champion at the continental level, with two outdoor European titles and three indoors, produced the best leap of the night in the final round, to secure a Gold medal for Greece.
Miltiadis Tentoglou secures the Gold for Greece at the World Athletics Championships for 2023. Photo: AP.
Tentoglou’s final leap of 8.52 metres bought him ahead of Jamaican leader, Wayne Pinnock, who was in the lead on Wednesday, according to World Athletics.
On Wednesday, Pinnock made a world-leading 8.54 metres opening jump to qualify, with a personal best by 17cm, reported Ekathimerini.
The Greek champion blazed through on the final round, overtaking Pinnock, who was unable to improve his final jump.
Μαγικό τελευταίο άλμα και χρυσό για τον Τεντόγλου!
🇬🇷's Miltiadis Tentoglou flies out to a massive 8.52m in his 6th and final attempt of the men's long jump final to win his first #WorldAthleticsChamps long jump gold medal 💪 pic.twitter.com/x27B9b5pZv
“It was a great competition, a great battle, better than last year,” the 25-year-old new World Champion said in an interview with World Athletics media. “The only gold medal I was missing is now mine.”
“Now I’m going to defend all my titles,” Tentoglou proclaimed.
Known for his active presence in the entertainment industry since the 1960’s, Greek actor and singer Dakis is recogised by many as one of Greece’s most iconic pop singers.
Born on the 26th of August 1943 in Alexandria Egypt, he began his career in 1963 where he started singing in clubs and then moved on to studying at the National Theatre of Greece.
Appearing in numerous films, television shows and stage productions, many of his works received several awards including the Greek National Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1971.
Dakis in one of his films. Photo: YouTube
For many he is best known for his release of several popular songs such as “Monsieur Cannibal,” “Tu veux out tu veus pas” and many other songs in Greek.
According to Greek Cultural Minister Lina Mendoni, Dakis served the pop genre with ethos and consistency with his smile and kindness making him loved by the public and his colleagues.
Dakis passed away at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer.
Greek race walker, Antigoni Drisbioti, secured the third position in the 35km championship race, taking away the Bronze medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships Budapest, on Sunday.
Spain’s Maria Perez, claimed first place with a remarkable dual victory by clinching the women’s 35km race walk title, complementing her earlier win in the 20km event on Sunday.
Perez crossed the finish line with a championship record time of 2:38:40, establishing a lead of over two minutes ahead of Kimberly Garcia, the defending champion from Peru.
Garcia achieved a time of 2:40:52, while Drisbioti secured the bronze medal with a time of 2:43:22. A step ahead was Viviane Lyra, setting a new Brazilian record of 2:44:40.
Antigoni Drisbioti wins Bronze for Greece at the World Athletic Championships 2023. Photo: Hellas Post English.
In an interview withWorld Athleticsmedia, Drisbioti said, “I cried when I went through the finish line because, although I didn’t achieve my best result, this is a great day for me.
“This is why I get up so early every morning. At home I work for our family restaurant but it’s closed now because my mom is here to support me. So I would like to say thank you to my whole family.”
Considered one of the best Greek race walkers of all time, Drisbioti has placed first in the 35km walk at the 2021 European Cup of Pontebrandi, fourth in the 35km walk at the 2022 Oregon World Championships, sixth in the 20km walk at the 2022 Oman World Cup, eight place in the 20km walk at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Antigoni Drisbioti proudly wins Bronze for her family back home. Photo: Hellas Post English.
Drisbioti also represented Greece at the 2016 Rio Olympics where she finished 15th.
Now winning a Bronze Medal at the World Athletics Championships, Drisbioti said proudly, “Finally I got a medal for them [my family], and of course for myself.”
Olympiacos took a crucial step in the first match for the Europa League playoffs. The Red and Whites prevailed 3-1 against Cukaricki at G. Karaiskakis Stadium. They now have a significant lead for the group stage qualifications of the second tier European competition.
Two goals by El Kaabi (3′, 40′) and one by Fortounis (15′), who also had an assist.
El Kaabi opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, scoring his first goal with Olympiacos. At 15′ Fortounis doubled the goals of the Red and Whites, while at 40′ the captain of Piraeus fed the Moroccan striker for 3-0, with the Red and Whites storming through the first half.
The rematch of Olympiacos is on Thursday, August 31, in Serbia, with the Red and Whites wanting to stamp their presence in the Europa League groups.
The long-neglected castle located on the northern tip of Skiathos is being treated to one of the largest restoration projects to take place on the island.
An area first inhabited in the 6th or 7th century AD, the castle will be restored so that it can be accessible to the public, with a clear focus on restoring monuments and developing new paved paths.
Part of the Skiathos Castle gate which is being restored. Photo: Ekathimerini
In a joint project with the Skiathos Municipal Authority and the Ministry of Culture, the aim is to bring the castle back to life, whilst also respecting the important historical monuments and religious sites located nearby.
According to archaeologists Anna Gialouri, the castle was first established by residents of the old town as a means of protecting themselves from pirate raids during the mid-14th century and has become a strong symbol for the island.
The Brain Cancer Group (TBCG) in association with Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) held its 6th Annual Awareness Raising Event on Tuesday, August 22 at NSW Parliament House. The event was hosted by NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Work Health and Safety, The Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP.
The event, which was open to the public, was aimed at educating, advocating and bringing together patients, carers, specialists and community leaders to better understand the multiple ways brain cancer can uniquely effect lives.
Attendees were first treated to light refreshments in the Fountain Court before moving to the nearby Theatrette for official proceedings.
The awareness event was open to the public.
The formalities commenced with convenor, Dr Adrian Lee, medical oncologist and Director of The Brain Cancer Group, thanking Ms Cotsis for her continued and ongoing support since the time she invited the group to host their event at Parliament in 2016. He thanked everyone in attendance and welcomed a number of special guests including the Hon. Ryan Park, NSW Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health; Zoë Baker, Mayor of North Sydney; Carolyn Corrigan, Mayor of Mosman and representatives of the BTAA including Catherine Hindson, former Chairperson and current Vice-Chair.
Dr Adrian Lee.
Parliamentary host of the event, Ms Cotsis, warmly welcomed attendees and expressed her gratitude to Suzane Peponis-Brisimis, Director of TBCG and Founder of the White Pearl Foundation – which raises funds for The Brain Cancer Group’s research program, for her work and “strong advocacy”.
She gave particular emphasis to the “tough and torturous” circumstances faced by health professionals, who through their dedication and commitment, give patients a second chance in life; just as she was given five years ago when diagnosed with breast cancer.
Left to right: Kathy Samios, Sophie Cotsis MP and Suzane Peponis-Brisimis.Parliamentary host of the event, Sophie Cotsis MP.
From there, The Hon. Ryan Park, NSW Minister for Health, discussed the role of government in cancer care and research. He highlighted the need to advance research of some rarer cancers that “have an enormous impact on people” and are “often lethal”. Mr Park’s presence underscored the ongoing commitment of government to supporting cancer research.
NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park MP.
Next, keynote speakers Jess Hill and husband David Hollier gave a detailed recount of their personal journey from the perspective of the patient and the carer which moved everyone in attendance.
When asked to speak at the event, Ms Hill explained, “I also want to bring David, because I think a lot of time when you meet someone… (who) has cancer, a lot of the attention goes to that person who’s experienced in the cancer. The carer can kind of recede into the background. But the experience is just as real and acute for the carer as it is for the person going through it.”
Keynote speakers, Jess Hill and husband David Hollier.
The couple shared the mic during the talk, each shedding a different light on their experiences, some even drew laughter from the crowd.
Ms Hill, an award-winning journalist, author and ten-year survivor of brain cancer, remembered when she was first diagnosed in 2012, while based in Beirut as a Middle East correspondent for The Global Mail. She explained both the physical and emotional impact it had on her life since having her first seizure aboard a flight. After a successful surgery, her tumour came back in 2020, just three years after she had given birth to her daughter. Today, Ms Hill has one last round of chemo left.
Mr Hollier, Psychotherapist and counsellor, explained his interpretation of events and how their responses to the entire process diverged in many ways. “I’m very comfortable with the idea that the stories we tell ourselves, the stories people need to believe are so important and have a validity that is separate from science… There is facts and then there’s the way we interpret them and what we need to believe is possible.” he said.
During his talk, Mr Hollier shared some of the lessons he learnt, ending with one he felt was most important, to lean on the friends and family around you.
Guest speaker, Associate Professor Haryana Dhillon.Guests that joined the awareness raising event.
Guest speaker, Associate Professor Haryana Dhillon, University of Sydney, Scientific Advisory Committee Chair, Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG); gave an informative lecture on the uses and benefits of the BRAINS (Brain Cancer Rehabilitation, Assessment, Interventions for Survivorship Needs) portal, created to offer support and create positive change for those affected by brain cancer.
She offered valuable insight into how the portal seeks to identify gaps in services and information available to patient, professional and caregiver as well as to inform users of the cognitive, emotional and physical effects of brain cancer.
Associate Professor Michael Back.
Associate Professor Michael Back, radiation oncologist and Director of TBCG, gave the final closing address reiterating thanks to all who joined the awareness raising event and for their support.
The successful event ended with attendees enjoying refreshments in the Theatrette foyer.
Mayor of Mosman, Carolyn Corrigan and Sophie Cotsis MP. Attendees were provided with information on the work of The Brain Cancer Group.
Deeply influenced by his Greek roots, renowned architect Billy Kavellaris has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of design, seamlessly blending the timeless essence of Hellenic culture with cutting-edge architectural concepts.
From a humble migrant upbringing in Reservoir, the life of Kavellaris and his family in their award-winning home in Toorak is far removed from the reality of his childhood.
Billy Kavellaris grew up in Reservoir.
He told The Greek Herald that he grew up surrounded by all that was “absolutely kitsch” with doilies, komboloia (worry beads), statues of Alexander the Great and even a crucifix.
“When you’re a younger person, you think, ‘Oh my God, look at these things,’ but as I get older, I just love that kitschy-ness. I hold it dear to my heart and retranslate it in a contemporary way, which is what I did with George’s [Calombaris] restaurant,” Kavellaris said.
“You have this real duality of something very contemporary upstairs and something very traditional downstairs, and that tension between these two things is what makes it interesting. It really shows a lineage and the past, present and future of where our Greek culture is going.”
With parents who worked as cooks, including a mum who was head chef at St Basil’s, the kitchen was a focal point, and he jumped at the chance to rekindle these memories in his most recent design venture, working on George Calombaris’ Hellenic House Project.
“There’s a house basically downstairs and a kitchen, like the one we all grew up in,” he said.
“It looks like a traditional Greek house, with the doilies and all those sorts of things. And it is meant to feel like home. It’s not pretentious and is meant to feel like you’ve gone into a traditional Greek home to have a meal. And then upstairs there’s the good room, like the front saloni we all had but where we were never allowed into because it was reserved for special occasions.”
Kavellaris explained how his Greekness formed “the very foundation” of his design philosophy.
Kavellaris Greekness formed “the very foundation” of his design philosophy.
“It is not limited to aesthetics; it permeates the very essence of how I perceive spaces and their purpose. Greek culture emphasises the importance of hospitality, warmth and shared experiences which I seek to infuse into every project,” he said.
Another of Kavellaris’ notable endeavours is his collaboration with the Archdiocese in Northcote, which he describes as “a proud moment” as he particularly revels in designing spaces he grew up in.
“Designing for the Greek Orthodox community is a privilege. It allows me to fuse the timeless beauty of Greek architecture with the aspirations of a modern congregation,” he said.
Lorikon Imperium.
“The challenge lies in harmonising the past and present, creating spaces that invite contemplation while embracing the needs of a vibrant community.”
Kavellaris has also made a name for himself in the realm of residential and commercial designs. His works, characterised by their organic flow and meticulous attention to detail, have earned him international acclaim.
“Each project is an opportunity to tell a story. By understanding the aspirations and desires of my clients, I can shape spaces that reflect their unique narrative. It’s about translating their dreams into tangible architectural expressions,” he said.
Keeping our stories alive:
When he isn’t envisioning great architectural designs, Kavellaris researches the Greek migrant story in Australia and is in the early stages of a documentary.
“I’m looking to celebrate ordinary everyday migrants. My parents’ story is so harrowing and so amazing that they could make movies out of it,” he said.
“The interesting thing I tell people when I tell the story is that most immigrants have a similar story. My yiayia on my mother’s side had her father die in World War I, her husband died in World War II and her son died in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Now I don’t know how anybody could keep going in life under those circumstances. And on top of that living in extreme poverty, having five children and living a rural life. It was a very difficult life for my grandparents.
“My mother came here at the age of 18 or 19 to try to find a new life and met my father who had a similar story. He lived in the mountains of Kalavryta, a beautiful place, but very isolated, and was raised by his aunt and uncle because they couldn’t have children.”
Bearing in mind his family history, Kavellaris has come a long way but he refuses to forget where he came from.
JARtB House / Kavellaris Urban Design.
“When I was growing up, we lived a very modest lifestyle. My parents were working class people, and we weren’t very wealthy at all. They sacrificed everything to educate myself and my sister. Many of the things I do today aren’t just for me but also for my parents,” he said, adding that he may have been born here but “the DNA and my parents’ lineage is still within me.”
“My kids are growing up in a different environment and I’m doing my best to keep them grounded. They both work and they are doing a good job of understanding where their cultural roots are, where their grandparents came from and understand that we are living in a different environment to their grandparents, the hills of Kalavryta.”
JARtB House.
He should not fear the loss of identity in his own household. His daughter Jorja, a VCE student, was so inspired by Hellenic art that her Grecian-inspired drawings were seen as good enough to be included as a design feature in Calombaris’ restaurant.
Victoria Square Footscray.
Kavellaris took his two children and wife to his parents’ villages in January.
“It was really beautiful,” he said, adding that they also visited other sites.
“Approaching the Acropolis is a humbling experience. Speaking to a taxi driver while going there, he told me that one of the key architects in the city had been asked a question about whether people visiting the city should go to the Acropolis and whether this should be by foot, by bike or by car. He said that they should approach on their knees, and I thought that was a very beautiful analogy about its importance. It’s a living embodiment of our enduring heritage.”
Married to an Italian, Kavellaris said that his “fear” is that “as we intermingle with other races” we may begin to lose our Hellenic identity, and this is one reason he is keen to promote it. As a result, he does a lot of pro bono work for the Hellenic Museum, The Hellenic Initiative, and Alphington Grammar, amongst other groups.
“To be ‘Hellenic’ is not to be of a place but to embody a certain sense of values,” he said. “These should be shared by everyone. My line of work does that.”
Football tragic, Mr Paschalidis, has saved lives with his relentless campaign to prevent and treat on-field cardiac arrest.
As the founder and CEO of the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, Mr Paschalidis offers simple screening checks for players, advocates for defibrillators for all sports fields and provides first aid education.
This year, FIFA teamed up with Heartbeat of Football to actively promote heart health to fans attending the in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – through the implementation of a booth at one of the tournament’s biggest FIFA Fan Festivals.
Mr Paschalidis is one of three Local Hero finalists nominated and voted for by the community. The winner will receive a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent, with the remaining finalists to receive a $5,000 grant for their organisation.
The Greek Herald asked Mr Paschalidis how it feels to be recognised as a finalist for the Westfield Hurstville Local Hero for 2023.
“This is validation for what Heartbeat of Football has been doing in the community since we launched in 2016,” Mr Paschalidis tells The Greek Herald.
Andy Paschalidis (R) Founder of the Heartbeat of Football Foundation charity.
“I have very strong ties to the Hurstville area through football as a player and coach with three local clubs.”
Mr Paschalidis explains how he met his wife, Jane, for the first time in 1986 about 100 metres away from Westfield Hurstville, making the recognition additionally special.
If Andy is successful in the community vote, the Heartbeat of Football Foundation will use its funds to run eight Heart Health Awareness and Testing Days and four CPR and defibrillator (AED) confidence sessions.
“Naturally any grant I can secure will be spent in providing our unique free heart health checks for the local Community,” he explains.
Westfield Hurstville is celebrating the Local Heroes finalists exhibition, open now until September 11 on Level 2, behind Concierge. The public are welcome to join and can also cast a vote for the 2023 nominees.
Greek Australian Professor Michael Kassiou is the winner for the Leadership in Science and Innovation category in the 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, which was announced at the black-tie awards ceremony at the Australian Museum, on Wednesday.
Professor Kassiou has been recognised for driving new approaches to drug discovery for challenging health conditions such as brain disorders and cardiovascular disease.
Professor Michael Kassiou, University of Sydney.
Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, has congratulated this year’s winners and emphasised the importance of Australian scientific innovation in addressing global challenges.
“As the world faces unprecedented challenges such as accelerating climate change, Australian scientists continue to lead, innovate and inspire,” McKay said in a statement.
Professor Michael Kassiou at the 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes awards ceremony at the Australian Museum.
Ahead of the Eureka Prizes awards night, The Greek Herald sat down with Professor Kassiou to hear about his career and the influence of his Greek heritage on his life.
“It makes me proud of the years of hard work that my team and I have put into trying to make a difference with our research. This is in recognition to all those that contributed no matter how big or small,” he tells The Greek Herald.
According to Extra Time, Mavropanos said in an interview with the club, “I am really happy and excited to be here.”
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the club after last season’s Conference League win – and I am really looking forward to the next step in my career. I can promise the fans I will give everything for them and the shirt.”
Konstantinos Mavropanos signs a five year contract in the Premier League with West Ham United.
Mavropanos began his football journey with Athens-based Apollon Smyrnis leading to a professional deal with PAS Giannina in 2016.
West Ham United signs Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.
West Ham’s gaffer, David Moyes, sees this as a strategic move to improve the teams defence.
“We’ve been looking to add to our centre-half options this summer, so it’s good we’ve been able to bring in an international defender of his ability,” Mr Moyes said.
“We’re really looking forward to integrating him into the group.”
