This image that moved and went viral: EMAK rescuer Ioannis Papayannakis burst into tears while trying to get to the scene of the tragedy in Tempe. A photo of Yiannis Liakos from Intime News graced the front page of Kathimerini on March 2, 2023.

Mr. Papayannakis, who is also the coach of the PAOK youth polo team, has completed his duties at Tempi and returned to the pool. There he was applauded by young and old for his proposal.

#PAOKfamily General applause from the entire PAOK Polo family as coach Ioannis Papayannakis enters the Posidonio swimming pool.

I respect!🙏 #Tempe pic.twitter.com/27d43VlJu9

— AK PAOK | LET. PAOK (@AC_PAOK) March 3, 2023

Athletes from the team’s academies greeted him at the Poseidon pool with smiles and “well done”, as seen in a video posted by a PAOK fan on social media.

“A shocking photo of our very own Ioannis Papayannakis, PAOK Youth Polo Coach, playing in EMAK. Only pride in our ‘Hero’!” he said in a second tweet from an amateur that featured a standout shot.

#PAOKfamily Our sensational photo of Ioannis Papayannakis, coach of the PAOK youth polo team, playing in EMAK.

Only pride for our “Hero” on #Tempe!#AKPAOK #PAOK #HereNorth pic.twitter.com/239raPMfBX

— AK PAOK | LET. PAOK (@AC_PAOK) March 2, 2023