Faliro once again embraces rhythmic gymnastics athletes from around the world, who will compete for distinctions and the applause of fans at the 10th International Tournament Aphrodite Cup, taking place from Friday (21/3) to Sunday (23/3) at the Faliro Indoor Gymnasium (Tae Kwon Do). The successful event enters its second decade with a new record number of participants, as 310 gymnasts from 27 countries make this year’s anniversary edition truly unique.

The countdown to the 10th Aphrodite Cup culminated with a press conference held at the welcoming venue of TGI Fridays in Marina Flisvos. The speakers included the Mayor of Palaio Faliro, Yiannis Fostiropoulos, the President of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation and Olympian Vasilis Tsolakidis, the President of the organizing club G.O.P.F. “Harmony” Eleni Michopoulou, the Deputy Regional Governor of Sports & Olympic Ideals of the Attica Region and member of the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation (HGF) Board of Directors Vasiliki Millousi, representing the Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias, the Deputy Regional Governor of South Athens Christos Theodoropoulos, the Vice President of G.O.P.F. “Harmony” Giorgos Kazantzopoulos, and rhythmic gymnastics champion Panagiota Lytra.

The event was also honored by the presence of HGF Administration representatives, including Secretary General Nikos Provias, Third Vice President and Olympian Eva Christodoulou, Equipment Supervisor Marina Athanasiou, and Board Member and FIG Executive Committee Member, Olympian Irini Aindili.

Also in attendance were Palaio Faliro’s Deputy Mayor of Sports Michalis Koumentakos, Deputy Mayor of Sanitation Maria Michalopoulou, Olympian in rhythmic gymnastics Klelia Pantazi, and the coach of Panagiota Lytra, Olympian Morfoula Ntouna.

Statements from the speakers:

Yiannis Fostiropoulos (Mayor of Palaio Faliro):
“The sport of rhythmic gymnastics has made the city of Palaio Faliro known worldwide through the Aphrodite Cup and the World Cup we hosted in previous years. Our municipality is particularly friendly to sports and culture, and through this event, we have achieved economic benefits, filling local hotels in March, which was not easy when this event first started. Additionally, the Aphrodite Cup is a ‘green’ event, leaving the minimal possible energy footprint while also promoting volunteerism. This event also provides an important opportunity to open up Olympic facilities, which should always be full of sports activities.”

Vasilis Tsolakidis (President of HGF):
“I am delighted that the Municipality of Palaio Faliro supports gymnastics, as does the Attica Region, and we thank them for that. The HGF stands by this effort, and I would like to congratulate Mrs. Michopoulou, who has been dedicated to rhythmic gymnastics for 45 years. We welcome all delegations and hope for even greater participation records in the future. Best of luck to all athletes.”

Vasiliki Millousi (Deputy Regional Governor of Sports & Olympic Ideals / HGF Board Member):
“It is a great pleasure to represent the Attica Region and Governor Nikos Hardalias, as well as the gymnastics community in which I grew up. The Attica Region actively supports all initiatives that promote sports values and Olympic ideals. Efforts are being made to integrate the Olympic Tae Kwon Do Gymnasium into the Faliro development area, the largest project currently underway in Attica, to improve the facility’s future utilization. The Aphrodite Cup is now an established institution, and I hope it continues to grow. Best wishes to all athletes and coaches for a successful competition.”

Christos Theodoropoulos (Deputy Regional Governor of South Athens):
“We are delighted to host this event in Palaio Faliro. As the Mayor mentioned, there are Olympic facilities in the area that remain unused, which is a shame. I believe that with the transfer of these facilities from ETAD S.A. to the Attica Region, Governor Nikos Hardalias and his team will prove that these venues can generate value and economic benefits. The Attica Region will continue to support the Aphrodite Cup, ensuring it provides the highest possible exposure to our area.”

Eleni Michopoulou (President of the Organizing Committee / President of G.O.P.F. “Harmony”):
“I am very proud that we have reached the 10th Aphrodite Cup, which started under Mayor Dionysis Hatzidakis and then Deputy Mayor Yiannis Fostiropoulos. Every year, we transform the Olympic Tae Kwon Do Gymnasium into a sports venue at great cost. Without the support of HGF and the Municipality of Palaio Faliro, this event would not be possible. The Attica Region has also supported us in 2017, 2022, and again this year, and we are very grateful. The Aphrodite Cup has reached great heights, and future generations can take it even further. Nothing is possible without teamwork, and the team behind the Aphrodite Cup is incredibly strong and must remain so.”

Giorgos Kazantzopoulos (Vice President of G.O.P.F. “Harmony”):
“This year, we celebrate 10 years of the Aphrodite Cup, which continues to be the rhythmic gymnastics event of five continents. Even though we are at the beginning of a new Olympic cycle, we welcome teams from around the world, with 310 athletes from 27 countries. The Aphrodite Cup started in 2015 with a team of experts trained during the Athens Olympics and has now earned its place on the international gymnastics scene. Over the past decade, the event has generated €1.5 million in revenue for South Athens, proving that an international sports event can be a key factor in local sustainable development. We sincerely thank our co-organizers, institutional supporters, sponsors, and especially our volunteers, without whom this success would not have been possible.”

Panagiota Lytra (Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion):
“I am very happy to participate for the second consecutive year in the Aphrodite Cup. This will be my first international competition of the year. I am excited to showcase my new routines and will try to perform them well. I want to thank my coaches for their constant support, as well as everyone involved in organizing this tournament. It will be very important for me, and for all the athletes, to see the stands filled with fans who will motivate us with their presence.”

The 10th International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament Aphrodite Cup is organized by the Gymnastics Club of Palaio Faliro “Harmony,” co-organized by the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation and the Municipality of Palaio Faliro, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, the General Secretariat for Gender Equality & Human Rights, and the Attica Region, with institutional support from the Public Real Estate Company (ETAD) S.A.

The event’s media sponsors are ERT and ERA Sport, while sponsors include Kapola Laboratory, Athens Medical Center – Palaio Faliro Clinic, Coral Hotel, Gianni Rodini, and TGI Fridays.

The Aphrodite Cup is also supported by the Institute Team for the World – Environmental Alliance 2004+, promotes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and is part of the Green Sports League’s second-tier certification system.