The 7 gold medals our international athletes achieved at the GPA OPEN Meditteranean Championship which was held on the 30th July 2015 in Israel in a town called Petach Tikva was to say the least, impressive. These first place positions not only generated and empowered our enthusiasm, but also engaged joy and excitement towards all Hellenism. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theofilos the 3rd, formally invited the International Greek team to a function named in their honour as an acknowledgement of their achievements during this period of tension and hardship. The moments witnessed at the function can hardly be described in words. The formal function in addition to the incredible hospitality extended to us as well as the personal tour through the headquarters of the patriarchate was not only a once in a lifetime experience but one that can never be relived.
The Helleneic Drug Free Powerlifting Association, would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to the Greek OrthodoxPatriarchate in relation to them extending a helping hand in these times of hardship by assisting us not only with complimentary accommodation, food and transport but reviving and retaining our mental resilience. Their hospitality to say the least remind us that the crisis is merely economical and separate that that of our values, and that humanity and love is all that is required to keep the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate vibrant and full of life.
The Helleneic Drug Free Powerlifting Association in turn would like to thank the organizers and extend their gratitude to the President of GPA Israel Dr. Gal Adato for their understanding of the economic difficulties that our country is facing assisting us by offering complimentary enrollment and attendance to the Greek athletes. This not only was met with deep appreciation but in addition to their unique hospitality not only strengthens our love for the sport but forges our friendship in stone.
