Do we have the right sports infrastructure to produce Olympians?

The mayor of Komotini, Yiannis Garanis, answers the question on radio Chronos 87.5fm on the occasion of the reception of the Olympic Flame in our city

Since our country wants sports, it must actively support the area for the creation and maintenance of infrastructure

Do we have the right sports infrastructure to produce Komotina Olympians or in general Olympians from the Greek province?

The mayor of Komotini, Yiannis Garanis, was asked to answer this question, speaking on radio Chronos 87.5fm, in the wake of the reception of the Olympic Flame in our city, on the evening of Monday, April 22.

The mayor acknowledged that especially in the province there is a problem with sports infrastructure, despite the local efforts made by the municipal authorities to maintain them. However, he attributed the responsibilities to the central state, for not providing sufficient funding and tools to the self-government, so that it can proceed with larger projects.

“It’s a problem that our country has been facing for many, many years, it’s not today and it won’t be solved in one day, if we don’t have the government’s help”, said the mayor characteristically, according to which “the sports infrastructures must they have state aid, just like culture, where the state has to bend over and subsidize them.”

According to Yiannis Garanis, with the powers that the Municipalities have, they try to improve and maintain the sports areas under their jurisdiction, “but this is not enough”, as he characteristically acknowledged. Therefore, if our country really wants to invest in amateur and professional sports, it must support both its infrastructure and the athletes themselves.

Price first, view second
Regarding the event of receiving the Olympic Flame as such, Yannis Garanis acknowledged that from all the cities the Olympic Flame passes through, the regions are shown respectively. However, for him first and foremost is the honor for our city and that “we saw with our own eyes the whole process”.

With reference to the 5 athletes-torch runners selected by the Municipality of Komotini, he explained that they participate in Olympic Sports and are accomplished.

We remind you that the Municipality of Komotini chose the following athletes: Kyriakos Bakirtzis Muay Thai, Nicoleta Barba Freestyle Wrestling, Thanasis Mimikos Disabled Basketball, Konstantinos Baniotis Athletics/High Jump, Haroun Molla Mountain Biking. Physical Education teachers Kyriakos Amoutzas and Dimitris Baxevanidis were chosen by the Olympic Committee.