On Saturday, relatives and friends paid their respects to Alexandros Nikolaidis, the two-time silver medallist and deputy press representative of SYRIZA-PS, who died at the age of 43, after a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer.
Nikolaidis lay in state at the Holy Cathedral of the Holy Forerunner of Neapolis, Thessaloniki, and the funeral procession and interment took place at the Philyros Cemeteries of Thessaloniki. His parents, his sister, his wife, Dora Tsambazi, and their two minor children stood in mourning.
Nikolaidis’ coffin was draped by the Greek flag, and the ceremony was attended by the Fire Brigade, where the Greek Olympian served as an officer. Among the many wreaths, was one from the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and sporting teams, PAE Aris and PAOK.
“Today, all of Greece is in tears, it mourns because it has lost one of its own children,” said the president of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, Alexis Tsipras, at the funeral oration he delivered for the Olympic winner and deputy press representative of the party, at the Timiou Cathedral Prodromou in Neapoli Thessaloniki.
“Alexander excelled in an individual sport, but in his life, he stood out because he did not want to walk alone, because he wanted to put forward the collective and not the individual, and he fought in the fields of life with the same stubbornness and the same combativeness that distinguished him in the sport arenas.”
“It is difficult to say goodbye to a loved one. Especially when he leaves so early. Even harder to say goodbye to a special person. A giant with the heart of a kind child. He was a fighter all around. In his sport, in his career, in his social action. He lost the battle, against the toughest and most invincible opponent – cancer. And yet he did not fear and did not complain.”
Mr. Tsipras added that Alexander’s love for the country was “pure, practical and deep”, it was he said what made him adamant to fight against those “who used its name to create division.”
He said that the athlete “left an indelible mark on our souls, but also a great legacy.”
“For your own people, Dora, your parents, your siblings, your friends. But above all his beloved children, Eleana and George. Have a good trip dear and kind-hearted friend. We will love you, we will remember you and we will always honour you.”
Funeral eulogies were also delivered by Olympians Demosthenes Tabakos, Clelia Pantazis and fire chief Savvas Tsolakis, as Alexandros Nikolaidis was an officer of the Fire Department.
Demosthenes Tabakos emphasised that Alexandros Nikolaidis had not only great physical stature but also great mental and athletic stature.
“We were heartbroken when we learned of your death,” said a shocked Clelia Pantazi, and expressed the hope that someone “big-hearted” would be found to buy Alexander’s medals at the auction and then give them to his children, to which the audience applauded.
The body of Alexandros Nikolaidis arrived at the church at 3 pm in an atmosphere of emotion and at 4pm the funeral procession began, citizens of all ages passed by to bid him farewell.
The exit procession was attended by the secretary K.E. of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance Rania Svigou, the deputy secretary Giorgos Vassiliadis, the press representative Nasos Iliopoulos, MPs and MEPs of the party, the deputy minister of Macedonia and Thrace Stavros Kalafatis, the general secretary of Sports George Mavrotas, the former deputy minister of Sports George Orfanos, the regional governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the mayors of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Zervas, Neapolis-Sykeon Simos Danielidis, Pylaia-Hortiati Ignatios Kaitezidis, MPs of the New Democracy, Olympians and many more.
