Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-08-21

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: [email protected]

Last Updated: Friday, 21-Aug-98 21:43:15

CONTENTS

[01] Olga Vasdeki

[02] Simitis-Vasdeki

[03] Stock Market

[04] 17th European Track-and-Field Championship

[01] Olga Vasdeki

In the 17th European Track-and-Field Championship held in Budapest, Hungary, Vasdeki was first in the women's triple jump with a 14.55 meters jump Thursday.

The award ceremony was held Friday evening. Greeks round the world who watched the ceremony were deeply moved by seeing the Greek flag raised and hearing the Greek national anthem.

The champion of Panellinios Gymnastics Society gave Greece a gold medal in the women's triple jump with her third jump, scoring 14.55 meters.

Olga Vasdeki won the second gold medal a Greek athlete has won in a European Track-and-Field Championship. Sixteen years ago, Anna Verouli won the first gold medal in the javelin in the European Championship held in Athens in 1982.

Vasdeki did steadily good jumps in a final which included big names in the women's triple jump. World champion of 1987 Sarka Kasparova from the Czech Republic got the second position with 14.53 meters, while Bulgarian Teresa Marinova was third with 14.50 meters.

The jumps of the 25-year-old Greek athlete were as follows : the first at 14.25 meters, the second at 14.42, the third, which gave her the gold medal, at 14.55 meters, the fourth 14.48, while her fifth and sixth jumps were invalid.

Talking exclusively to Antenna Thursday night, Vasdeki said she would dedicate her gold medal to her family, to all Greeks who support Greek athletes in every competition, and to her coach Panagiotis Marikonis. "He is the man who led me here since 1995, after several ups and downs".

"I owed this medal to myself", Olga added. "This time I told myself I won't let the game out of my hands".

Referring to Anna Verouli, Vasdeki said, "When

Verouli got the gold in the javelin in 1982, I didn't know her at the time, I did not even know anything about track-and-field. But years later, I heard her talking about me saying that I would offer Greece great distinction. Maybe Verouli brought me luck, as she won the first gold medal, she said something 'gold' about me. I thank her very much and I also thank all those who believed in me. They should also believe in the entire Greek team, because it's worth it".

Panellinios president Minos Kyriakou was also in Budapest and congratulated Vasdeki. He told Antenna, "Olga has worked hard, as all of the other Greek athletes. I do not consider Olga's success as a success of Panellinios, but as a triumph of Greece".

Kyriakou added that the Greek state should pay special attention to the Greek athletes, as, quote, "these kids are the magnet of life", unquote. "The Greek state should support these kids so that we see even greater wins, gold medals, Olympic, World and European winners".

In Olga's hometown, the city of Volos in north-central Greece, her family and friends were extremely happy with her performance and the gold medal she won.

"I'm very happy because my daughter won the gold medal, but also because she will stand on the highest step of the podium and the Greek national anthem will be heard", Olga's father Apostolos Vasdekis said.

Her mother, Maria Vasdeki, said, "Before any competition, Olga never says that she will win a medal. She usually says, I will compete and will do my best. And that's exactly what she did".

Olga's brother, Gerasimos, added, "She was worth the medal, as she worked hard", and her little niece, Maria Vasdeki, said, "I'm very happy and very proud for my aunt".

Neighbours who love Olga were also very moved and wished her the best.

One of her close friends, Dimitra Meristoudi, said, "I'm very proud and happy. I wish her the

best and to be happy always . I felt deep inside me that she would win the gold medal".

[02] Simitis-Vasdeki

"Excellent preparation, tough effort, your determinationm to reach high goals and your tireless fighting spirit , led you to the top", the premier said.

"You have honoured Greece and made us all proud. In your face we see the eternal spring of Greek athleticism", the telegram ended.

And New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis also sent a congratulatory telegram saying that this gold victory was the natural result of the athlete's consistency and insistence, and that this was an very positive message to Greek youth.

[03] Stock Market

Greece's improving economic fundamentals and the prospect of membership into the European single currency [EMU] are creating a favourable outlook for the Greek equities.

ABN AMRO Bank recommended an overweight position in Greek stocks, placing high price targets for blue chips. Duetsche Bank said it expected the drachma to remain strong over the medium-term backed by

capital inflows and a tight monetary policy. Falling inflation should boost the country's chance of EMU participation in 2001.

Deutsche Bank reported that by reducing inflation to 5.1 percent year-on- year in July from 5.2 percent in June Greece has reassured financial markets that it is on its way to EMU entry.

[04] 17th European Track-and-Field Championship

On Friday Dimitris Kokotis finished in fifth position in the mens high jump with 2.30 meters.

In the finals of the womens discus Katerina Vongoli threw 63.56 to gain fifth position. Anastasia Kelesidou was seventh with a 62.95 throw, and Stella Tsikouna came twelth with a 57.07 score.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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