Cyprus welcomed back Olympics silver medalist, sailor Pavlos Kontides, who arrived at the Larnaka airport Friday at noon, accompanied by his coach and members of his family who were in France to offer their support to the Cypriot athlete. The Aegean aircraft on which he flew home was greeted by a water salute, an arch of water, created by two vehicles of the Larnaka Airport Fire Service. Pavlos Kontides became the first Cypriot athlete ever to win an Olympic medal for Cyprus, by winning the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's Laser class behind Tom Slingsby. Twelve years later in Paris he got another silver medal behind Australia's Matthew Wearn. He also won the International Sports Prize World Athlete of the Year award in 2012. 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. The Cypriot silver Olympic medalist was welcomed on behalf of the Government by Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hatzimanoli. Crowds gathered inside and outside the airport, among them relatives and friends of Kontides, as well as representatives of Cypriot sports organizations. Acting mayor of Larnaka Iason Iasonides offered him an olive wreath and a copy of an ancient artifact, which was found in Larnaka 4,000 years ago, while vice-president of the Cyprus Sports Organisation Kalli Hatziiosif offered a silver wreath. In his statements, Pavlos Kontides said he was proud to win after 12 years the second silver medal in the Olympic Games and thanked, among others, his family, his coach and the Government for the support he received. "Despite the small size of our country, we have a big heart, we just have to believe it and work towards this direction" he said and thanked the people of Cyprus for "all the positive energy and strength" they have been sending him. The two-time Olympic silver medalist was also invited to send a message to those children who want to p ursue their dreams. "No matter how dark the clouds above may seem, always remember that the sun is above them and the clouds will eventually go away", he said, adding that young children should follow their dreams and goals, wake up every day and do what they truly love and have the right people around to help them. I am, he continued, "very lucky to have my coach next to me who also wrote history, because he is the only coach to win four Olympic medals in a row in the laser category." Welcoming Kontides at the airport, Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hatzimanoli said "on behalf of the government and all the Cypriot people we welcome today with great pride our champion, our Olympic medalist Pavlos Kontides together with his coach and his family who have supported him and continue to support him in his effort". She also said that the government understands the needs of the sports sector and said that the state "will stand by you to support you in everything you need, because you really make us proud ever y day. Especially you, Pavlos, with your ethos. You always, humbly manage to raise Cyprus to the highest step". In his statements, Kontides' trainer Joko Jakelic said that the medal means a lot to the whole team and to the people of Cyprus. "We are constantly writing history, it means a lot to the whole team, it means a lot to the Cyprus people which gave us a lot of courage and strength to go on and to achieve the biggest dream which is there for 20 years now" he pointed out. Concluding, Jakelic said "this is our quest, this is our mission and I am really positive and grateful that we win it". Source : Cyprus News Agency