Greek legend Pyrros Dimas signs the Olympian’s Wall in Lausanne

Pyrros Dimas is the most Olympic medalled lifter in the history of the IWF and also the most successful Greek athlete in the Games history (all sports included). Today, he received a special tribute at the Olympic House in Lausanne (SUI), where he had the honour to sign the Olympian’s Wall. In a ceremony attended by IOC President Kirsty Coventry and the IWF President Mohammed Jalood, the immense champion could not hide his emotion and happiness for this recognition. The IWF General Secretary José Quiñones and the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic in Switzerland, Ms Ekaterini Simopoulou were also among the guests at the IOC Headquarters.

From left to right: José Quiñones (IWF General Secretary), HE Ekaterini Simopoulou (Greek Ambassador in Switzerland), Pyrros Dimas, Kirsty Coventry (IOC President), Mohammed Jalood (IWF President), Nicolas Dimas, and Achilleas Tsogas (IWF CEO)

With three gold medals – 1992, 1996, and 2000 -, and a bronze lining at home, at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Dimas is a reference in the Sport and a Hellenic inspirational hero. His third place in the Greek capital was perhaps the most inspirational moment of his rich career, with the local fans applauding him for long minutes, during the medal ceremony. After that, he announced his retirement.

Pyrros Dimas with IOC President Kirsty Coventry

“It has definitively been a great trajectory, full of beautiful and rewarding memories. I was very privileged to live such moments and to succeed at this level. Weightlifting has been an essential part of my life, and even today I get emotional when receiving these tributes. I would like to thank the IOC and its President Kirsty Coventry for this initiative. I also express my gratitude to the IWF for accompanying me during my entire career!” considered the Hellenic ace.

Also member of the IWF Executive Board and leading our International Federation’s Innovation Committee, Dimas believes he can still bring many positive outcomes to the Sport. “I am now on the ‘other side’, and I feel I can bring my experience and expertise to the benefit of our athletes, and events. Weightlifting undertook a lot of changes in recent years, and we are now a valuable and respected partner within the Olympic Movement. We need to continue the good work, and I am proud to be part of this team!” also stated Dimas.

At the IOC Headquarters, next to Pierre de Coubertin’s statue

 

Born in 1971 in Himara (Albania), to ethnic Greek parents, he soon demonstrates a great ability for the sport and moves in the beginning of the 1990s to Athens. At his first Olympic participation – Barcelona 1992 – Dimas gets the gold in the 82.5kg, with a total of 167.5-202.5-370. After this success, he is received like a hero at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens (the one hosting the 1896 first Olympics of the modern era), but the world (and Greece) had only witnessed the start of a legendary journey that would include two more gold (Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) and one bronze medal (Athens 2004).

Signing the Olympian’s Wall

With personal bests of 180.5kg in Snatch, 215kg in C&J, and 392.5kg in Total, Dimas was also world champion on three occasions (1993, 1995, and 1998). In 2009, he was inducted into the Weightlifting Hall of Fame and between 2012 and 2015, he was a member of the Hellenic Parliament.

On the ceremony at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne, Dimas was happy to add his name to a Wall of many legends in Sport. “What a nice feeling to share this space with so many other champions and Olympians! Each one of them is an example of determination, passion and devotion to his/her respective sport. It was also my case and I am very honoured to have my name in this so prestigious Wall,” concluded the Greek legend, who had a special witness at the ceremony in Lausanne: his 16-year-old son Nicolas.

Pyrros Dimas in his glory days

While in Lausanne, the champion also had the opportunity to visit the Olympic Museum, where he was invited to sign the Golden Book of the institution.

Congratulations Pyrros Dimas!

IWF Communications