Cyprus President Admits Country Falls Short in Developing Culture and Sports

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has acknowledged that the state has “not done enough to develop culture and sports” in recent years. He pledged that the government will now do everything possible to improve infrastructure for athletes.

Christodoulides made this statement at an event at the Presidential Palace, organized by the Cyprus Sports Organization and Olympians to present the country's Olympic and Paralympic teams.

“We have not done enough for sports and culture in this country,” he said.

The president pointed out the poor infrastructure, noting that many athletes have to go abroad for training.

“The least we can do as a state is to invest much more in infrastructure,” he emphasized.

Addressing the Cypriot athletes, Christodoulides stated that he would personally travel to Paris to watch their performances.

The event also featured Greek Olympic champion Voula Patoulidou, who won gold in Barcelona in 1992. She wished the Cypriot athletes success at the Olympics.

Earlier reports indicated that the flag bearers for Cyprus at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris will be athletes Milan Trajković and Elena Kulichenko. A total of 15 Cypriot athletes will participate in the Olympics in eight disciplines.