Greek Australian rowing Olympian Nikos Hatzigiakoumis has passed away in Melbourne at the age of 93.
His funeral will take place on Monday, 16 January.
Hatzigiakoumis who hailed from Rhodes island in Greece, had won several Greek rowing championships and had been named European champion in 1952 prior to migrating to Australia. In 1956 he competed in the men’s single sculls event at the Summer Olympics in Melbourne and due to a judges dispute he missed the gold medal even though he finished first.
Following the news of his passing, the Board of Directors of the Rhodian Association of Melbourne and Victoria ‘the Diagoras’ of which Hatzigiakoumis was a longtime member said in a Facebook post: “We regret to inform our friends and compatriots of the death of our dear friend and compatriot, Nikos Hatzigiakoumis, who passed away three days ago. He was a good man. Nikos was a good parent and patriot, as well as a good athlete who, with his abilities specifically in the sport of rowing, became champion in the Mediterranean and Pan-European games, and in 1956 he represented Greece in the Olympic games in Melbourne, then I also had the pleasure of applauding him together and his other Greek teammates, unforgettable beautiful moments, which will remain etched in my memory. On behalf of all the Rhodians of the parish, we express our sincere condolences to his family. Nikos, we will miss you. Rest in peace.”
