EOC President Spyros Capralos attended yesterday a celebratory evening hosted by the Cyprus NOC to honour Kikis Lazarides, the former Treasurer of the EOC, in recognition of his lifelong contribution to sport in Cyprus and to the Olympic Movement.
Thanks to his key role in the advancement of sport in Cyprus, offering longstanding and varied service at institutional, administrative, and social levels, Kikis Lazarides received the Ethical Award of Excellence, Value and Honour, in recognition of his strong commitment to the Olympic Values and his active support for the vision of the Cyprus Olympic Committee.
Mr Lazarides, who marked his 90th birthday earlier this year, served as President of the NOC for 24 years from 1984 to 2008, helping to establish Cyprus as an important member of the European Olympic Family.
He also dedicated several years of service to the EOC in the position of Treasurer, a time marked by financial stability and success including the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2015.
Guests from the world of sport in Cyprus and beyond, along with representatives from the social and public sectors, joined Mr Lazarides for the celebrations, held at Olympic House in Nicosia. Nicosia, with the participation of President Capralos, was among those who expressed his gratitude for Mr Lazarides’ decades of service to the Olympic Movement, which included a time as an IOC Member.
President Capralos said: “Dear Kikis, everyone in this room has their own special memories of you, as a trusted friend and as a colleague with a huge passion for sport.
“You led sport in Cyprus to new heights as President of the National Olympic Committee for 24 years, and many great Cypriot athletes developed to the point where they could enjoy success at the highest level.
“At the EOC, we remain deeply grateful for your long-standing support as Treasurer for many years. The EOC made huge strides during this time, and with your unique expertise, you ensured the EOC used its opportunity wisely and set us on a path for stability and then growth.
“The Olympic Movement in Europe is stronger thanks to your decades of service, so on behalf of the EOC and European Sport, thank you Kikis!”
