Cyprus Paralympic athletes depart for the UK on Friday, August 24, to take part in the London Paralympic Games 2012 and aim to repeat their successful course in the Beijing Paralympic Games of 2008.

The athletes forming the Cypriot delegation are swimmer Karolina Pelendritou, track and field athlete Antonis Aresti and shooter Evripides Georgiou. The athletes where presented here today, during a press conference, in the presence of Under Secretary to the President Titos Christofides, British High Commissioner to Cyprus Matthew Kidd and Cyprus Sports Organization President Pampos Stylianou.

Speaking during the press conference, Kidd said that the Paralympic Games return to the country in which they were born 64 years ago. He added that more than four thousand athletes from 150 countries will take part this year in the London Games, including the three Cypriots.

Kidd wished the Paralympic athletes every success, while he also extended his congratulations to silver winner in the London Olympic Games Pavlos Kontides.

The British High Commissioner offered the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee (CNPC) a donation of 4,200 euros on behalf of his office, noting that the money was raised with the help of Cyprus Red Cross and the Nicosia Cyclists’ Federation.

In his address, Christofides said that the success of Cypriot athletes in previous Paralympic Games, as well as the recent Olympic success of Kontides “belongs first and foremost to the athletes themselves and the teams supporting them”.

He added that success also stems from systematic planning and the financial support to sports federations, the Cyprus Sports Organization (CSO) and the Cyprus Olympic and Paralympic Committees.

Stylianou, while taking the floor, said that the success of Cypriot Paralympic athletes opened the way for more success, culminating to the silver Olympic medal of Pavlos Kontides in sailing.

He also expressed the wish Cyprus’ athletes to win in this year’s Paralympic Games even greater distinctions for their country.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Pelendritou thanked CSO for providing all these years financial assistance to the athletes and promised that all athletes will do their utmost to represent Cyprus in the London Games in the best possible way.

The London Paralympic Games start on August 29 and finish on September 9.

Two times gold Paralympic winner Pelendritou will be Cyprus’ flag bearer during the opening ceremony.