The 1908 Olympic Games were decisive for the future of the competition, which at that time was taking its … baby steps. The rules for their holding were established, and for the first time the athletes took part in the national teams, and a parade was held with the flags of the participating countries. The Greek flag was held by Nikos Georgantas, who was destined to go down in history as the first Greek flag bearer of the Olympic Games. In memory of him, this weekend (November 3) in Tripoli will revive the historic match “Georganthea”.

Born in the Arcadian Straits, Nikolaos Georgantas was born in 1878 and was raised by the revival of the Olympic and Ideal Games. He trained as a teacher and taught at a school in Volos while studying at the same time.

His imposing physique and great love for ancient Greece pushed him to take up throwing. At the age of 23 (1901) he took part in competitions for the first time and emerged victorious in stone throwing, discus throwing and shot put.

In the same year, he also became a member of the Panhellenic Sports Family. Three years later, having broken all-Greek records in discus throwing, stone throwing and shot put, he received the right to participate in the Olympic Games in St. Louis (USA). In this event, he won a bronze medal in the discus throw (37.68 m), was eliminated in the shot put, and took 5th place as part of the tug-of-war team, consisting of pan-Greek athletes.

Sport was the main priority of the teacher from Trypillia, and in the following years he added to his medal collection with successes at the Panionian Games, as well as at the Olympic Games held at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens in 1906, at which he was adored by the fans for being a collected three medals.

But the moment when Nikos Georgantas will go down in history was at the London Olympics. More than 2,000 athletes from 22 countries took part in the event. Such a large number of participants was the first time. In London, three medals were established (before that, only the top two received medals), qualifying rounds, limits, new sports were introduced, and a parade of participating countries was held. The Greek flag was retained by Nikos Georgantas, but he failed to win any awards.

In 1909, with two firsts in stone throwing and shot put, he ended his sports career at the 13th Panion Games. In 1921 he left for America and returned to Greece shortly before World War II to continue to contribute to Greek sport from another position, this time as president of the Panhellenic, and was also an honorary member of SEGAS. He passed away in 1958.

In order to honor his memory today and tomorrow (11-12/03) “Georganeia” is being held in Tripoli and the Straits with road races and an event dedicated to the first Greek flag bearer of the Olympic Games. . The event will be a ‘bridge’ that will connect the past with the future as it will present an honorary financial award to top Greek discus thrower Jason Thanopoulos in order to gain support in his quest to win the qualification. for the Olympic Games.

Perfect match; And the best Greek discus thrower comes from Arcadia, the special birthplace of Nikolaos Georgantas.