Cyprus’ Olympic medalist Pavlos Kontides enters the race in sailing on Monday with hopes of bringing back a gold medal for his Mediterranean island.
In the RS:X class, Cypriot sailor Andreas Kariolou will also begin his effort in his fourth Olympic appearance.
Meanwhile, Andri Christoforou, a professional racing cyclist, ranked 52nd in the 136.8km race.
Kontides won a silver medal in the London Olympic Games in the Laser class. That landmark achievement is one he is now looking to improve upon by going for gold at Rio 2016. The fight for the medals promises to be intense, especially with Brazil’s Robert Scheidt having returned to the Laser fold.
According to a report of the Sports Writers’ Union journalist, Kontides will compete on the 8th through 10th and 12th through 13th of August in ten races. The aim is to reach a high classification so that he can enter the final medal race in 15 August.
Kariolou will take part in the 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th of August races and he hopes as well to be part of the medal race on the 14th of August.
Kontides said conditions in the Guanabara bay, where the races will take place, are not ideal but everyone faces the same issues. However, he is aware of what is expected of him and is determined to use it in his favor.
“I know my country is expecting a lot from me and this gives me an added push,” he remarked.
On the other hand, Andreas Kariolou, who has trained in Rio many times before, stated that he feels ready.
“My aim is to enter the medals race which will take place on the 14th of August,” he added.
Andri Christoforou finished the cycling race in 4 hours, 16 minutes and 24 seconds and described the whole course as hard and under bad weather conditions which included light rainfall and high winds.
However, she said, it was a tremendous experience.
Source: CNA
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