Yannis Antetokounmpo: The “tcholiadaki” from Sepolia who holds the Greek flag high

By Marina Zioziou

As it became known, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Antigoni Drisbiotis they will be the two standard-bearers of the Greek delegation to Paris for the Olympic Games, which begin in less than 20 days. However, there were quite a few people on social media who “unfurled” their racist delusion about whether Giannis should represent Greece at the Olympics.

Despite the hardships and injustices he experienced in Greece, Mr “Greek Freak” has repeatedly proven how much he loves our country (and his country) and how much he respects the Greek flag. He always holds her up! Giannis “carries” Greece inside him, and so does his family. After all, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a living advertisement for Greece, mainly because he has chosen it himself. And his brothers follow the same path.

He holds Greek flags, wherever he stands and wherever he is, without a second thought, he expresses his love for the country, making himself the best ambassador of our country. A love that he obviously acquired in his family environment from his immigrant parents, who, however, felt respect for the country that welcomed them. The life of the family was not paved with rose petals. Charles (who passed away in 2017) and Veronica Antetokounmpo have five sons, Francis, Thanasis, Giannis, Costas and Alexander. Mama Antetokounmpo is now also a happy grandmother.

The surname “Antetokounmpo” means “The crown that came from the distant seas”. Actually, ‘Ade’ means ‘king’. The surname of one of the most famous families on the planet comes from the Yoruba language of Nigeria, which was spoken by her husband, Charles Antetokounmpo.

Giannis Antetokounmpo loved football because his father also played. But he wanted everything he does in sports to be with his older brother Thanasis, so basketball began to gain ground little by little in his daily life.

When he now began to grow taller with impressive speed and could not easily control his legs, the orange ball became his only favorite. Today, there is a cult relationship and John’s star will “shine” for many years to come.

He was a simple child, something that can be seen even now, kind, he knew how to appreciate things and he was never arrogant. In Greece, he and his three brothers were born, crawled, walked and first played ball or basketball on some remnant of alana or a field of Sepolia. There they learned the alphabet. Our own alphabet. Homeland for these children is not their country of origin, but the place, the place and the memories of their childhood.

Giannis’ property is not only the contracts in the teams he plays for. These solve the financial problems, but for the “Greek Freak” the family, the acceptance, the companionship, the love he received and gave when he was still a child, is the hidden “treasure” he carries with him in his luggage and in his soul. So, for all this, John, thank you. Keep holding the Greek flag high…