He is Greek, but he is competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games with the German team and indeed, with great success! Sideris Tasiadis of Greek descent won a silver medal in the men’s canoe single race on behalf of Germany.
But why a Greek man does not take part in the Olympics with the Greek team, you wonder? The answer is simple- the Hellenic Olympic Committee showed no interest in Tasiadis and as a result, Germany invited him to its team, claims Mr Tasiadis.
Right after he received his medal, international reporters rushed to ask him about his participation in the Olympics with the Germans instead of the Greek team. The 22-year-old man said that he feels disappointed about the fact that Greece does not care about him. However, asked if he would raise two flags to celebrate his victory, the German and the Greek, Tasiadis replied a clear ‘no’.
He stressed also that he does not intend to return to Greece because, as said in previous statements, he feels Germany is like his home because this country appreciated his sports abilities.
Mr Tasiadis was born in Komara village near Orestiada (northern Greece). When he was ten, his family decided to migrate to Germany. Since then, he lives in Augsburg, where he also discovered his passion for water and started canoe training sessions.
Despite being quite young, Tasiadis has managed to be awarded various distinctions in canoeing races. In 2012, he became Europe’s champion in canoe and as a result, he ‘won’ his position on the German Olympic team.
Latest News- August 2, 2012
The Hellenic Canoe Kayak Federation published a press release on August 2 commenting athlete Sideris (Isidoros) Tasiadis’ participation in the London Olympic Games with the German team and his statements that Greek officials never invited him to compete in the Olympics as member of the Greek team.
“We would not like to comment anyone’s feelings about what homeland means. But we want to make clear that the Hellenic national team made several efforts, even before the Beijing Olympic Games, to include Mr Tasiadis in the Greek team. His answer was always clearly negative.”
(Source: newsit.gr)
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