The Athletic history of Patras

A city like Patras, with a history spanning at least four millennia, could only have a vast and profound athletic tradition.

From antiquity and the competitions recorded by Pausanias, to the rebirth of the modern Greek state and the contemporary era, Patras has rightfully earned the title of a true sports city.

In ancient times, the city sent athletes to the Olympic Games, while during the Roman period it hosted the renowned Caesarea. Athletic activity is also documented during the Byzantine era as well as throughout the years of Ottoman rule. Yet, the first organized and substantial developments after the establishment of the new Greek kingdom and the revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1896 are directly linked to the foundation of Panachaiki.

From the time of Christos Koryllos until today, Patras has produced great teams that have left — and continue to leave — an indelible mark on the sporting landscape of the country.

The historic Nautical Club of Patras, the powerhouse of championships and major distinctions in water polo and swimming; the Cycling Club of Patras; and in more recent years, Olympiada, a club with an important presence in athletics and previously in basketball and volleyball; the men’s basketball team of Apollon Patras led by the legendary “Nureyev” of Greek basketball, Kostas Petropoulos; NEP, which competed in the LEN Trophy in both men’s and women’s water polo; the men’s volleyball team of EAP with impressive European campaigns; the football clubs Patrai and Thyella Patras; and of course Promitheas, a modern basketball force in Greece and Europe, having created one of the world’s finest athletic centers.

To these should be added the women’s handball team Ormi Loux, which dominated the national championships for an entire decade before unfortunately dissolving during the economic crisis.

Special mention must naturally be made of the historic football club Panachaiki, which in the mid-1970s competed on equal footing with Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and AEK, featuring players such as Vasilis Stravopodis and the late legends Petros Leventakos, Themis Riga, Kostas Davourlis, and Andreas Michalopoulos.

Patras is a city with remarkable achievements in track and field as well as in boxing, with national and international distinctions, while also being a producer of exceptional talent competing in the Greek national teams across numerous sports.

Among the most notable examples are Kostas Katsouranis in football; our Olympic medalists Christodoulos Kolomvos and Angeliki Gerolymou in water polo; swimmers Nora Drakou and Kristel Vourna; cyclist Lambros Vasilopoulos; volleyball player Nikos Roumeliotis; and many more.

We should also not overlook the significant sports administrators from Patras who have led national federations — Evangelos Liolios (Hellenic Basketball Federation), Vasilis Diamantopoulos (Cycling Federation), Dimitris Dimitropoulos (Gymnastics Federation), the late Vasilis Sevastis (SEGAS), Tasos Chrysanthopoulos (Archery Federation), among others.

As for track and field, Patras is truly the city of athletics and road running, having produced countless great figures. Without a doubt, Spyros Andriopoulos stands as the “totem” of classical athletics in the region — one of the greatest Greek distance runners of all time and the long-standing national record holder in the 10,000m, marathon, and half marathon. We should also mention Maria Polyzou, the national marathon record holder, Balkan champion, and ambassador of Greek athletics. Both represented our city and our country at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, as did the younger Sofia Riga at the Olympic Games in Rio. Other notable athletes include the distinguished marathoner and Balkan champion Nikos Argyropoulos, the late Fanis Tsimigatos — national record holder in the classic marathon route from 1984 to 1998 — as well as sprinter Giorgos Panagiotopoulos (200m), high-jump champion Antonia Stergiou, and many others.

One thing is certain: Patras possesses a rich athletic heritage, state-of-the-art sports facilities, experienced officials and coaches, and thousands of talented athletes. The future, without doubt, belongs to the city.