A few months after his death Alexandru NikolaidesThe news that his coach Kostas Tsidimopoulos has also passed away is sad.

According to the family of the Olympic taekwondo champion on their Instagram account, Tsidimopoulos died “suddenly and unfairly.”

For its part, the Hellenic Taekwondo Federation mentions, among other things, in a touching statement about a successful coach: “You were our teacher for most of us. The man who taught us the values ​​of sport. Values ​​of Olympic Taekwondo.

Who was Kostas Tsidimopulos?

Kostas Tsidimopulos was born on December 16, 1955.

He has been the coach of all Greek Taekwondo Olympic medalists and a member of the Olympic Taekwondo Family since the first day of its foundation (in 1980 when he joined SEGAS) and from 1995 he was the Federal Coach and Technical Advisor until today.

He coached Alexandros Nikolaidis from 1996 to 2012.

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“Our family, in such a short period of time, also painfully says goodbye to their coach Kostas Tsidimopoulos, abruptly and unfairly.

A sweet, generous and smiling person with the heart of a small child. He moved to find his “son” there, train again, joke and laugh.

Goodbye, chief, take care of our man. You were in a hurry to leave, just to reward him earlier…”, — stated in the message.

Hellenic Taekwondo Federation Announcement

“You were in a hurry, Kostas Tsidimopoulos, to meet your beloved godfather, Alexandros Nikolaides, in the neighborhood of the angels. Because how else can we justify your leaving so soon. So early from us. From your family. Your children. From your students. Because for most of us, you have been our teacher. The man who taught us the values ​​of sport. Values ​​of Olympic Taekwondo. And you showed us the path that we follow to this day in a sport that you served not just with love, but with reverence.

Because for those who don’t know, you were the one who raised a generation of athletes and then coaches who, at the very least, owe you a huge thank you. We don’t know if we managed to tell you everything, but we, as the Greek Taekwondo Federation, showed you in practice and at every opportunity.

You were a legend and that is how you will be remembered. Forever. Next to the best Greek athletes since 1995, when you took over as federal coach. You have been present at all the great sporting moments of Olympic Taekwondo. In 2000 in Sydney, in 2004 in Athens, in 2008 in Beijing. You have always been there. Near beloved Alexander. Next to all the children of the national team. You used to rejoice at medals and awards like a small child. You got angry when you saw injustice, but you never lost your sense of humor. You were real, which was recognized by friends and rivals.

We say goodbye to you with heartache. You leave behind a wonderful family. Not only your wife Veta and your two children Evangelia and Irini, but your whole family. We all. May the soil that covers you be light. We will always remember you with love.”