The galleons that Giorgos Tselilis wore on the uniform of a naval officer were a kind of medal for his achievements in sports. But the former weightlifter decided to polish those gallons by taking part in the exercise with real fire. Vice Captain P.N. became the first Olympian to compete in the event and, as he stated in cathimerini.grthe moments he lived can only be compared to winning a medal at an international event.

“I served in the Navy for about 27 years, but never took part in an exercise. At first I served in the Naval Cadet School, and now I work in the Supreme Sports Council of the Armed Forces. But I’ve never been on the deck of a ship in so many years. At one of the events, I had the pleasure of meeting the Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ioannis Drimusis P.N. and I expressed to him my desire to be in the exercise. I was touched by his words when he told me that I can go whenever I want. In fact, he invited me to take part in these exercises,” 4 told us.^O Atlanta Olympian.

George Celilis was born in Avlon, Albania. In the area where he lived, there is a naval base. As a child, he watched the officers and admired their uniforms. “Since childhood, I wanted to be a Navy officer. Thanks to sports, I was able to fulfill my dream. Ever since I hung up my championship clothes, I have had the thought in my heart of hearts to get on a ship and share with my colleagues from our glorious fleet moments from their lives at sea. Here I would also like to thank the Chief of the General Staff, Vice Admiral Ioannis Drimusis P.N. who gave me this opportunity.

“Moments that can only be compared to a medal”

Operational training of naval units took place in the sea areas of Myrtoos, the northern part of the Cretan Sea and the western Cyclades. Frigate, Submarine, Speedboat, Observation Ship, Naval Aviation and Submarine Emergency Command units participated. From the day the former champion was informed that he could take part in the mentioned exercise, he began to realize his dream. “I put on my uniform and went to the AGEON frigate, which was pointed out to me. Our journey began in the morning from the place where the Battle of Salamis took place. Everything I read about the history of the Greek Navy through the ages came to mind. From the moment the anchors were raised, I began to experience some of the most shocking moments of my life. I can say that these moments can only be compared to winning a medal in a very big race.”

Helicopter flight and… chick

The old weightlifter ended up on a frigate and into a completely different world, which has nothing to do with serving in a non-combat unit. “I quickly became acquainted with colleagues who serve on the ship, as well as with Governor F.K., Vice-Captain P.N. I had the honor of being with the commander of the 2nd^her Frigate Squadron I.R., Captain P.N. I would like to say that they are all lavender and I am proud to wear the same uniform as these people and I can now call them friends. Our fleet is one big family. It is one for all and all for one. That’s what I can say, this is my main conclusion from the six-day exercise,” the champion told us, and when we asked him to describe life on board, he replied: “I attended a live fire exercise. One of the most exciting moments was when our frigate guns fired and we destroyed the target. I was impressed by the cooperation of the crew. They worked like a well-oiled machine. Teamwork dominated the tension. The second most shocking moment for me was when I participated in a helicopter exercise. We sailed the Aegean for two hours, and the mission was a success.”

At this point, the wife of George Tselilis, former track and field champion Argyros Yannikakis, intervened: “Tell me about the chickpeas you ate. We have been married for so many years, and at home you have never touched them,” she told him, laughing, and the weightlifter told us about the diet of the “Guardians of the Greek Seas”: “The food is carefully selected. . As well as the time when it is served. It is based on Greek cuisine and includes all types of food that a person needs. As for the chickpeas, I can say that they were very tasty.”

“The life of a champion is like the life of a good soldier”

During the exercises, the Olympian had the opportunity to experience life on the second frigate. “Together with the Commander, we went to NAVARINON to watch 2^V phase of the exercise, in which there may not have been real fire, but it was also interesting. Governor S.M., Vice-Captain P.N. were waiting for us there. It is about a person whom I, although I have never seen, seems to have known for many years. He touched me from the first moment he offered to show me the boat. It was my first real lesson as an officer. He explained to me the role of each crew member on the ship. I quickly understood the point. And on the NAVARINON frigate, as well as on the AEGEAN, I felt like a member of the ship’s family and I want to thank the crew members of both frigates for this.”

Life aboard a warship is different from life ashore. Giorgos Celilis followed the program and said he was impressed by the moments he experienced.

“Together with the commander, the governor and the rest of the crew, we watched the exercises. There I had the opportunity to see things that touched and impressed me, dozens of people even communicated through their eyes. It may seem that there was panic, but everything was done … with surgical movements. Every target was destroyed. It was something fantastic. I experienced moments that reminded me of my path in the sport. The life of a champion is very similar to the life of a good soldier. And they play in the championships. There is team work. In the end, we gathered in the officers’ quarters and there we were the whole group, with appropriate jokes. The same thing happens in sports training. After finishing the workout, we relax. There is even the same degree of tension as in a match. After all, even a moment of battle is a struggle … “.

“Pride of the Navy”

Giorgos Celilis has been wearing the Navy uniform for almost 27 years. Thanks to communication with “smoky” officers, he opened… the curtain on a world that existed only in his imagination. “I am very proud of the Greeks who serve in the Navy. As a citizen of Greece, I would like to thank them for the moments they gave of their lives to this. The stamp of my experience at the exercises was my acquaintance with the governor of NAVARINON S.M.

He is a great officer and a great person. I can say that I have a new friend. I would like to thank him because he taught me a lot about PN. and made me feel like an officer and part of our maritime family. I also want to thank the commander of the headquarters of the frigate Captain Spiridon Lagar P.N. I would like to have this experience. I will always be at the disposal of the commander-in-chief. For other athletes who serve in the E / D, I recommend at least some time to be near the combat unit. What they will experience will be something unique and they will proudly tell their families about it. Exactly with the same pride we brag about our successes in sports.”