The Power of Sports

As an athlete, I find it most brave and honorable to showcase the rare way in which sports can become a universal language that brings us all closer together, no matter what differences we might share.

This was written in 2010 by my Greek Coach George Dikeoulakos after we defeated Russia and won the European Championship, and it’s profound meaning has stayed close to me ever since throughout the remainder of my life and career:

“PEOPLE, SO STRANGE, SO DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT AGES, DIFFERENT COLOURS, DIFFERENT CHARACTERS, WITH SO DIFFERENT PAST, AND MAYBE SO DIFFERENT FUTURE. PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, LITHUANIA USA GREECE…THEY ARE ONE SOUL, ONE HEART, ONE HUG!!!! ONLY TEAM SPORTS CAN GIVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, ONLY SPORTS CAN UNITE PEOPLE LIKE THAT!”