Exclusive statement of Lampadiromou – Champion Jenis Papadimatou: “It is a great honor and joy for me and my city, Corinth…”

She is a Philologist, a Professor at the “Aristotelio” School and at the same time an Athletics Champion – a runner in the 3,000 meter steeplechase and other middle distances – as well as a member of the National Athletics Team. She manages to combine with great success the function of a teacher in a Greek school and sports at a high level, so she could not but be chosen as a Torchbearer in the reception and march of the Olympic Flame tonight in Corinth, on its way from Greece to Paris where the Olympic Games will be held this year.

She is Ms. Jeni Papadimatou, Champion of the “Poseidon Loutraki” Association, with important distinctions in the sport she is involved in. We spoke with her and asked her to tell us, exclusively, how she feels about the fact that she will participate in the torch relay and also about the secret of her success in combining the very demanding work of a philology teacher with the intensive training program required by her involvement with the track and field at the National Team level.

Q: Mrs. Papadimatou, tell us about your participation in the torch relay with the Olympic Flame.

Ans: “It is certainly a great honor that I will participate as a torchbearer with the Olympic Flame on the way to Paris. It is also a great honor that the Flame will also pass through my city, where I live and work all these years of my life. I am very happy about it.

I am very happy that all the residents of the city and my acquaintances and friends will see this very important event, because behind the Flame there is also a very great symbolism, for the reconciliation, the truce that existed during the Olympic Games. It is something very important and I am really happy that I will be participating and that my city will be in all of this.

Certainly, those selected had to have some specific criteria and some specific distinctions in sports. In recent years I have been on the rise in sports, I had been on a mission with the National Team, I had participated in a pan-European championship, so all of that definitely gave me the ticket to be able to be in this torch relay. And my joy is even greater because I have tried so hard all these years and I can’t wait for this event to happen.

I also thank my Association, Poseidonas Loutrakiou, who supports me throughout this effort and will be there to see me carry the Olympic Flame.”

Q: It is really admirable to be able to combine your work, which is demanding because it has to do with teaching important subjects to children, with sports at a high level. What is the secret to this success?

A: “Sure, the secret is very good planning. My day starts long before work, where I do my morning workout. Then I have my homework and right after that I do the training the second day and continue until the evening again with some lessons I have. Certainly, my schedule is very demanding, it has many difficulties, because my rest is little to minimal and also my time is very limited. If I get even 10 minutes out of something my schedule won’t work.

But, on the other hand, the fact that I can inspire my students to set goals and not give up and that anyone who wants something in life will find a way and achieve it gives me immense joy. So this gives me joy and from my students I get a lot of positive energy and a lot of energy to continue.

I have support, as I told you, from my Association, “Poseidon” of Loutraki, and from my workplace – I work at “Aristotelio” in Corinth – who support me and help me and give me the motivation to continue and not give up the effort I make”.

G.P