With one of the biggest expeditions in its history and with reasonable hopes of distinction, our country is rushing into the fray of the 25th European Open Championships in Athletics in Munich (15-21/8). Thirty-nine athletes (24 women – 15 men) aim to continue the competition, in which Greece has made significant progress.

There are conditions, athletes like Miltos Tedoglu, Katerina Stefanidis and Antigoni Drisbiotis come with … time and at least the first two are also favorites in their competitions. Eager to defend the gold medal he won four years ago in Berlin, the long-distance “silver” world champion is in top form and has proven this beyond racing in Oregon and the recent Diamond League. The three-medal Greek pole vaulter may have finished fifth at the World Championships, but her vaulting has been good in the Diamond League and she herself hopes to repeat her first place four years ago.

Antigoni Drysbiotis, who at the World Championships almost choked on the second Greek medal in the 35 km walk (after Athanasia Tsoumelekas in 2004) with a 4th place, keeps her promises.

Dimitris Tsiamis, who won the bronze medal in Berlin 2018, will take part in the sixth European Championship of his career and will join Kostas Philippidis in the corresponding list of Greeks with the most appearances at the event.

Irini Vassiliou will miss the opportunity to take part in the third European Championship of her career due to health problems, nor will the promising Polyniki Emmanouilou be absent.

In total, Greece has won 29 medals (11 gold, 7 silver and 11 bronze) in previous competitions, with women (8 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze) ahead of men (3 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze).

Of the title holders (31 in total) who will try to keep their sceptres, the 32-year-old discus thrower from Croatia, Sandra Perkovic, who has been continuously winning the gold medal since 2010, stands out.