Konstantinos "Kostis" Tsiklitiras (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος "Κωστής" Τσικλητήρας; 30 October 1888 – 10 February 1913) was a Greek athlete and Olympic champion.[1][2]
Personal information | |
---|---|
Native name | Κωνσταντίνος Τσικλητήρας |
Nickname | Kostas (Κώστας) |
Born | 30 October 1888 Pylos, Peloponnesos, Kingdom of Greece |
Died | 10 February 1913 (aged 24) Athens, Kingdom of Greece |
Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) |
Weight | 81 kg (179 lb) |
Military career | |
Allegiance | Kingdom of Greece |
Service | Hellenic Army |
Battles / wars | Balkan Wars |
Sport | |
Country | Greece |
Sport | Jumping |
Club | Panellinios GS, Athina |
Born in Pylos, he moved to Athens in 1905 to study medicine.[3] Tsiklitiras soon took up sports and joined Panellinios GS. He practised football with Panellinios and Panathinaikos (he was the first goalkeeper of Panathinaikos) and water polo, but is best remembered for winning four Olympic medals in standing long jump and standing high jump in the 1908 and 1912 Summer Olympics.[3] He was Greek champion 19 times.
His career stopped in 1913 when he volunteered to fight in the Balkan Wars. Although he could avoid conscription, he insisted on fighting for his country and fought at the Battle of Bizani. He contracted meningitis and died in Athens at the age of 24.[4] His family home still exists in Pylos and holds a museum of his athletic achievements. [5][6] There is a marble statue in front.
References
edit- ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Kostas Tsiklitiras". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016.
- ^ "Kostas Tsiklitiras". Olympedia. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ a b Κιτροέφ, Αλέξανδρος (2010). Ελλάς, Ευρώπη, Παναθηναϊκός!. greekworks.com. p. 28.
- ^ Konstantinos TSIKLITIRAS. athletix.org
- ^ "Tsiklitiras House". pylos.info. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ Decker, Wolfgang (1 November 2018). "Honour where honour is due: News of the Olympic Champion Kostis Tsiklitiras from Pylos". Diagoras: International Academic Journal on Olympic Studies. 2: 13–26.