Greek gold medalist Eleftherios Petrounias has demanded a ‘restart’ for sports in Greece as the three-time World champion was forced to train in a flooded training facility.
The Agios Kosmas facility was left in a tragic condition when the Greek Olympian began his preparations for the European Championship in Baku, which was announced to take place in December.
Water fell from the ceiling as if no roof was in place. Equipment also left tarnished.
“We produce high level athletes despite the equipment that lags behind those in other countries. But that doesn’t mean we have to forget the obvious,” Petrounias said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“The reality we experience is that in winter we exercise at just 3-4 degrees above the outside temperature and in summer respectively, 3-4 degrees below.
“Every rain forces us to stop our training and often our equipment is destroyed.”
Read More: Petrounias takes gold in Melbourne at 2020 World Cup Gymnastics
The lack of maintenance and responsibility has left Petrounias disappointed at the level of respect sports are being treated in Greece. Demanding a ‘restart’, the Olympian believes action must be taken in order to create the next generation of sports champions.
“We need a restart in sports as well. We want self-evident help so that we can continue to raise our flag high and make the Greeks proud. We want to continue to inspire young children and bring them closer to sports as much as possible. We need the least amount of support. The obvious infrastructure. The ones that will just allow us to train in normal conditions.”
Full Statement from Eleftherios Petrounias
“I want to share with you the real picture that the Olympic Facilities of Agios Kosmas have today. The reason is yesterday, which unfortunately was not the exception but the rule, with the rain forcing us to stop our training in the indoor gym since the roof can no longer keep it out. I feel real sadness. I’m sad. I’m running. It is true that we have managed to bring out champions and Olympians under difficult conditions.
Compared to our athletes from other countries. We produce high level athletes despite the equipment that lags behind those in other countries. But that doesn’t mean we have to forget the obvious. The reality we experience is that in winter we exercise at just 3-4 degrees above the outside temperature and in summer respectively, 3-4 degrees below. Every rain forces us to stop our training and often our equipment is destroyed.
I now doubt how long the roof will last from the rain and not collapse. I know the reality and especially today that we all have more or less been negatively affected. I fully understand that there are more important priorities than sports, such as health and job support. But I can’t help but think that amateur sports need a different approach.
We need a restart in sports as well. We want self-evident help so that we can continue to raise our flag high and make the Greeks proud. We want to continue to inspire young children and bring them closer to sports as much as possible. We need the least amount of support. The obvious infrastructure. The ones that will just allow us to train in normal conditions.”
