Meet the Cyprus team for the Rio Olympic Games

Cyprus is competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with 16 athletes in seven different disciplines, from 5 to 21 August 2016.

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According to the Union of Cyprus Sports` Writers, even though the Cyprus team is smaller this year, it is considered strong since it comprises athletes of international standard.

Some of the athletes are seeking a medal while others said they would like to reach the finals.

Of the 16 athletes on the team, seven will compete in track and field, two each in sailing, shooting and swimming and one each in cycling, gymnastics and weight lifting.

The Cypriot team will enter the legendary Maracana Stadium which will stage the opening and closing ceremonies with Pavlos Kontides as the flag bearer.

Pavlos Kontides in the Laser Event, who has won a silver medal in the London Olympics, is now seeking a gold in Rio.

Andreas Kariolou in the RS-X, an experienced yachtsman who is taking part in his fourth Olympic games.

Kyriakos Ioannou in the high jump event. He is described as one of the greatest Cypriot athletes, with three medals in the World Championships and the only track and field athlete who has made it to the finals of an Olympiad.

Demetris Chondrokoukis in the high jump event. He has been competing with Cyprus` National Team for two years now and after going through to the World Championships in Beijing, is considered one of the elite athletes.

Leontia Kallenou in the high jump event. She competed for the Georgia Bulldogs, while studying at the University of Georgia, and is the reigning American collegiate champion in women`s high jump, in both outdoor and indoor events. Her ambition is to get as much experience from the Olympics as possible.

Apostolos Parellis is a track and field athlete specialising in the discus. He is the current Cypriot national record holder with 65.69 m (215 ft 6 in), achieved in May 2016.

Eleni Artymata is a track and field sprint athlete, who will compete in the 200 metres. She aims to reach the semi finals. One of the most experienced sprinters, she is ready to take her participation at Olympic Games a step further.

Ramona Papaioannou is a sprinter who will compete in the 100 metres and 200 metres. She has had an impressive record in the last few years and has the capability to reach the semi finals.

Milan Trajkovic is a Serbian-born Cypriot athlete specialising in the sprint hurdles. He won two gold medals at the Games of the Small States of Europe. He will compete in the 110 metre hurdles.

Andreas Hasikos is a Cypriot sports shooter who will compete in men`s skeet. After winning a bronze medal in the 2015 ISSF World Cup, he is now aiming for an Olympic medal.

Andri Eleftheriou will compete in women`s skeet. She is considered one of the leading shooters in the world with a number of medals in international and European championships. Eleftheriou is aiming to get an Olympic medal.

Andri Christoforou is a professional racing cyclist and will compete in the women`s road race. A young mother, in 2016 she became the National Champion for Cyprus in both the road race and individual time trial.

Marios Georgiou is competing in gymnastics. He claimed his Olympic spot in the men`s apparatus and all-around events at the Olympic Test Event in Rio de Janeiro.

Antonis Martasides will compete in the Men`s −85 kg. He is an experienced sportsman with participation in world and European championships.

Iacovos Hadjiconstantinou will compete in the Men`s 400 m freestyle. He aims to achieve a personal record during the Rio Games.

Soteria Neofytou will compete in the women`s 100 m butterfly. The youngest Cypriot athlete in the games, in Rio she hopes to improve her personal performance.

Source: CNA