Board members of the Greek Community of Melbourne met with Greece’s ‘Golden Girl’ athlete Antigoni Ntrismpioti in a warm reception at the Greek Centre on Friday.
GCM President Bill Papastergiadis welcomed the Olympic hopeful, providing a tour of the Centre’s facilities and an overview of the Community’s work.
The welcoming delegation included among others, Dr Nick Dallas and Mr Leonidas Vlahakis.
Mr Papastergiadis expressed his admiration for Ntrismpioti’s achievements, presenting her with a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
“It’s a great honour to have Antigoni with us at the Greek Centre,” he said “she’s one of Greece’s greatest athletes and she demonstrates the Hellenic spirit through her athletic achievements.”
“We want her to know that the GCM is by her side as she heads into Sunday’s race, we wish her success and invite all of Melbourne’s Greeks to head down to Fawkner Park and give her their support.”
Dr Nick Dallas said the Community was “honoured to host the Karditsa born athlete,” highlighting her dual success at the 2022 European Championships in Munich, Dr Dallas alluded to Ntrismpioti’s aspiration to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics
“We encourage everyone to come to support this great athlete and we wish her every success.”
Towards the end of her visit, Christina Soumi of the GCM’s Language and Culture school presented Ntrismpioti with a didgeridoo while detailing the significance of the instrument to members of Australia’s Aboriginal community.
Antigoni Ntrispioti will take part in the Chemist Warehouse Australian Race Walk Championships at Fawkner Park, South Yarra, this Sunday 12 February at 7am.
