Sydney Olympic and the wider football family of our community are in deep mourning for the premature loss of the club’s ex-president George Giannaros.
Mr Giannaros was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago, and he passed away on Friday night. He was only 55.
His presidency is connected strongly with the two trophies won in the 2011 NPL NSW season, wherein Olympic claimed the Premiership and Championship titles under the helm of coach Peter Tsekenis.
Veterans of our Greek-Australian media attest that he was probably the last president of Sydney Olympic who gathered representatives of the Greek-speaking media, seeking their cooperation and support to promote the club’s goals and to fill more seats at Belmore Sports Ground (BSG).
His name was also closely associated with Sydney Olympic securing a 25-year lease in order to have BSG as its home ground on May 26 2010.
It was on that day that George Giannaros announced that the Federal Government was granting $4.9 million and Canterbury Council $one million to be spent for the upgrade facilities of BSG.
When the announcement was made on the pitch of BSG, Mr Giannaros had next to him, apart from his board members, two Labor heavyweights: Anthony Albanese and Tony Burke, today Prime Minister and senior minister respectively.
Mr Giannaros had origins from the island of Lesbos and was a successful businessman.
He was director on the board of Olympic in 2003-04, which was notably the last season of the NSL.
Following that, he also served as Vice President and Senior Football Director before being elevated to the helm of President in 2009, remaining in the role until 2013.
Sydney Olympic fans and well-known football figures have expressed their condolences and paid their respects through posts on digital platforms.
