Greece has sent five athletes to Beijing this year as China’s capital gears up to host the Winter Olympics from February 4 to February 20.
The Greek team consists of Maria Danou (cross country skiing), Ioannis Antoniou (slalom), Maria-Eleni Tsiovolou (alpine skiing), Nefeli Tita and Apostolos Angelis (cross-country skiing).
The athletes left Greece on Sunday and are now preparing to lead all the athletic teams at the opening ceremony of the Games on Friday.
Danou and Antoniou, who was the first torchbearer of the Olympic Flame for the 2022 Games, will be carrying the Greek national flag during the opening ceremony.
This year’s Games in Beijing have been the subject to diplomatic boycotts from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada over China’s human rights record, including its treatment of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also resulted in the implementation of health and safety protocols, and restrictions on public attendance of the Games.
The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), Spyros Capralos, has said he is confident organisers will create a safe and successful Games.
