Cyprus Amateur Athletic Association President Pericles Markaris has told CNA that Cyprus deserves to be promoted to the European Athletics Second League, something the national team intends to prove during the European Championships Third League which are hosted in Limassol, on June 19 and 20.

In an interview with Cyprus News Agency Markaris says that Cyprus competes in the event with 25 men and 25 women athletes, the maximum number allowed to compete per country.

“By rights, we belong to the Second League, not to the Third League and our intention is to prove it on the ground,” he said.

Markaris also said that the last European Championship which took place in Cyprus was 20 years ago in Nicosia and expressed the association’s happiness that this great event will be hosted in Limassol.

Asked what sports events will take place, he said in total 20 events for Men and 20 for Women will take place, including all races such as sprints (100m, 200m, 400m), middle distance (800m, 1500m), long distance (3000m, 5000m) and relays (4x100m, 4x400m), as well as long jump, triple jump and high jump and discus, ball, javelin and hammer throw.

Replying to a question as to the participants Markaris said that 18 countries comprised 16 teams will take part, namely Azerbaijan, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Northern Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and a team representing Gibraltar, Monaco and Lichtenstein. Cyprus will be hosting for the Championships about 540 people, he added.

The teams winning the first three spots will be promoted to the Second League, he noted.

Markaris also said that it was a challenge to organise the Championships amidst the pandemic but assured that all necessary health protocols in place to contain the coronavirus spread will be followed.

At the same time, he noted that hundreds of volunteers have been helping out, pointing out that without volunteers organising such an event would not have been possible.

Cyprus one of the favourites for promotion to Second League, European Athletics says

In the meantime, a press release published at the official website of European Athletics says about the Championships that “hosts Cyprus will be one of the favourites for promotion back into the Second League.”

Their team, it adds, includes world finalists Milan Trajkovic (110m hurdles) and Apostolos Parellis (discus) along with Eleni Artymata (400m) and twins Olivia Fotopoulou (100m) and Filippa Fotopoulou (long jump).

“The men`s shot put could be one of the highest quality events of the weekend with the entry-list featuring four throwers with 21 metre-plus lifetime bests: Georgia`s Giorgi Mujaridze (21.21m), Mesud Pezer from Bosnia & Herzegovina (21.48m), Serbia`s Asmir Kolasinac (21.58m) and Luxembourg`s Bob Bertemes (22.22m),” it reads.