Pavlos Kontides

Pavlos Kontides
Personal information
Nationality Cyprus
Born (1990-02-11) 11 February 1990 (age 34)
Limassol, Cyprus
Medal record
Men's Sailing
Representing  Cyprus
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2012 London Laser
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris Laser
Mediterranean Games
Silver medal – second place 2018 Tarragona Laser
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Split Laser
Gold medal – first place 2018 Aarhus Laser
Silver medal – second place 2013 Al Musannah Laser

Pavlos Kontides (Greek: Παύλος Κοντίδης, born 11 February 1990) is a Cypriot sailor.[1] He became the first Cypriot athlete ever to win an Olympic medal for his country, by winning the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's Laser class behind Tom Slingsby, then twelve years later in Paris getting another medal of the same color behind Australia's Matthew Wearn.[2] He won the International Sports Prize World Athlete of the Year award in 2012.[3] On Tuesday 19 of September 2017, Kontides took the 1st place in 2017 ILCA World Championship in Split, Croatia, becoming a World Champion. He won the championship again in 2018, as well as a silver in 2013.

Kontides also competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the Men's Laser class, obtaining the 13th place. In the same year, he won gold at the World Junior Championships and in 2009 he won two silver medals in World Cups and a bronze in the Paneuropean Men's Championship.[4]

He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Men's Laser class where he placed 7th.[5] He was the flag bearer for Cyprus during the Parade of Nations.[6]

He also competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Men's Laser class where he was placed 4th.[7]

Kontides is currently ranked 6th in the ILCA 7 men's rankings.

Kontides was born in Limassol. He is a member of the Limassol Nautical Club and is currently trained by Jozo Jakelić.[8] He is studying ship science at the University of Southampton, and has taken a two-year break.[9][10]

The Republic of Cyprus honored Kontides through the issue of a Commemorative Stamp.

  1. ^ "Pavlos Kontides". London 2012. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  2. ^ Bjedov, Nemanja (6 August 2012). "Proud Kontides hails 'incredible' silver". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 8 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  3. ^ Dora Avgoulidou (12 October 2012). "Sports took center stage at the 11th Giuseppe Sciacca International Awards". peoplenews.gr. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Pavlos Kontides, the Cypriot Olympic Medallist". Stamps and Philatelic Service, Cyprus Post. Retrieved 11 March 2013..
  5. ^ "Rio 2016". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  6. ^ "The Flagbearers for the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony". 16 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Kontides just misses out on a medal at Tokyo Olympics, but a great fourth for Cyprus". in-cyprus.philenews.com. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Pavlos Kontides". Sailor Biography. ISAF. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Kontides - CYP". Sailing - Olympic Classes - Laser. Marine Pool. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Kontides is a Medal Winner". The Cyprus Weekly - Showbiz. Phileleftheros. 5 August 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.