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Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on August 10, 2004
Golden oldie feted
The city of Athens on Monday honoured Greece8217;s oldest Olympian, a 95-year-old former pole vaulter who still goes to the gym every day, ...
The city of Athens on Monday honoured Greece8217;s oldest Olympian, a 95-year-old former pole vaulter who still goes to the gym every day, and hailed him as a role model for competitors at the 2004 Games.
Peter Clentzos, a Greek American who took part in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, said he was thrilled to receive the Medal of the City of Athens in the build-up to this month8217;s Games, the first to be held in the Greek capital since 1896. Mayor Dora Bakoyannis told Clentzos. 8220;I strongly believe that you are one of the best examples that the Olympic Games could really show.8221;
Born in the United States to Greek parents from the island of Kythira, Clentzos missed out on selection for the US Team in 1932 but was then offered the chance to compete for Greece. He came seventh and represented Greece at other events including the 1935 Balkan Games in Istanbul where he won a gold medal. A rapturous welcome from some 100,000 people in Greece after that victory is among his fondest memories.
A brass quintet played a fanfare for Clentzos at the mayor8217;s office on Monday before Bakoyannis placed the gold-rimmed medal bearing a portrait of the Greek goddess Athena around his neck.
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