Cypriot Commonwealth Games team receives a warm welcome home

A very warm welcome was extended to the Cypriot athletes, who represented the island at the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, upon their return to Cyprus at Larnaca Airport on Wednesday.

Welcoming the Cypriot team on behalf of the government, Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades said "Cyprus' participation in the Games was a very successful one, since for the first time in its history Cyprus secures six medals at the Games and ranks 14th. I welcome you back with great joy and pride."

"By succeeding at the Games, you have honoured your country. Your presence in Melbourne was excellent. The Ministry of Education and Culture will continue supporting you, so that you can achieve your goals and make us all very proud," the Minister said.

He added that President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos expressed the government's great interest in sports, and will soon receive the athletes at a reception in the Presidential Palace.

Cyprus secured three gold medals, with George Achilleos in men's skeet, Achilleas and Antonis Nicolaides in men's skeet pairs, Antri Eleftheriou in women's skeet, as well a silver medal with Eleftheriou and Louiza Theofanous in women's skeet pairs.

Kyriacos Ioannou secured a bronze medal in the high jump and Irodotos Giorgallas, a gold medalist at the previous Commonwealth Games in Manchester, secured a bronze medal in men's rings.

Chairman of the Cyprus Sports Organisation Titos Christofides said it "becomes a custom for us to welcome here, at Larnaca Airport, our athletes who stand out internationally".

Head of the Cypriot team, Alecos Spanos, expressed his gratitude towards everyone who contributed to the success of the team, adding that everybody should be proud of the Cypriot athletes' performances and dignified manners inside and outside the sports fields.

Vice President of the Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC) Demetris Lordos noted that "it is now time for Cyprus to honour you and give you the best, which you deserve".

Cypriot skeet athletes George Achilleos, Antonis Nicolaides and Andri Eleftheriou said they were proud to have won the gold medals for Cyprus and thanked COC for its support.