Giorgos Skrivanou achieved a major international distinction at the half marathon in Salin-de-Giraud, Arles, France, finishing first in both the U20 and U23 age categories and fourth overall.
The Kalymnian athlete, coached by Nikolas Korfias, took his place on the winners’ podium and expressed his happiness at representing his home island, Kalymnos.
The award ceremony carried special significance because of the twinning ties between Arles and Kalymnos. According to the account accompanying the athlete’s achievement, the awards were presented by Arles’ first municipal councillor, who had previously visited Kalymnos as the “Queen of Arles” as part of the twinning relationship.
During the ceremony, she spoke at length about Kalymnos and acknowledged the former mayor who established the twinning between the two towns. She also invited Michalis Papachatzis, President of the Arles–Kalymnos Twinning Committee, onto the podium as a guest of honour.
Skrivanou’s success therefore combined an outstanding sporting performance with a warm celebration of the ties connecting the two communities.
The event’s group photograph features the winners of all the half marathon’s age categories.
Congratulations to Giorgos Skrivanou and his coach, Nikolas Korfias, on an international achievement that made Kalymnos proud!
