Christos Volikakis: “The most intense moment was my first participation in the Beijing Olympics in 2008”

In a country where team sports monopolize attention, there are athletes who, with stubbornness, sweat and total dedication, manage to raise the Greek flag high – many times, on their own. One of them is the Christos Volikakis: The leading Greek track cyclist, a real champion inside and outside the stages.

With four appearances in the Olympics, dozens of international awards and a career that continues to evolve, Christos talks to us about the power of perseverance, the challenges of sport, the route from Volos to the global peak – and everything he has learned.

Christ, how did cycling start for you? Was it a dream from a child or did it come about?

Cycling came into my life by my father who was a coach in the National Team and the Volos Gymnastics Association, I quickly realized that it was more than just a hobby. I started at a young age in Volos, along with my brother, one of the other. At first it was just fun, but as the years went by, I began to set goals, train more seriously, and dreaming of great discrimination. It was my childhood dream of becoming a cyclist, but over time, cycling became a way of life. We made our lives bike!

Do you remember your first big match? What emotions did you have then?

Of course I also remember him. It was an experience that has been engraved within me. I was still little, full of ignorance and excitement. I had a lot of stress, but also a huge thirst to prove that I deserve to be there. I remember the pulse, the noise of the track, and the feeling that every second counts. It was the moment when I realized that this is what I want to do – to struggle, to go beyond my limits, to chase the best.

You have climbed the podium many times. What distinction means more to you and why?

All distinctions have their own value, but if I had to stand out one, I would say the gold medal at the World Championship. It was the moment when I felt that the years of time were justified. It was not just a victory – it was the confirmation that an athlete from a small country can reach the top of the world. Great weight, but also huge pride.

How did you feel when you heard the national anthem playing for you?

There are no words to describe this feeling. It is one of the moments when you realize what it means to represent your homeland. All the nights, the sacrifices, the pains, the workouts – at that time you forget them all. You feel it’s worth every moment. The tears come spontaneously, you can’t contain them.

Is there a moment when you thought about giving up?

Yes, and not once. The road is never paved with rose petals. There were injuries, financial difficulties, frustrations. There were days when I felt I couldn’t stand it anymore. But every time something inside me used to say “keep going – you didn’t come here to give up”. My love for cycling and supporting my own people has always been the motivation to stand on my feet again.

How many hours of training take daily to stay on top?

The daily routine of a champion is strict and demanding. I usually do from 6 to 8 hours training per day, depending on the season and the preparation plan. But it is not only the duration – it is also intensity, discipline, consistency. In addition to bike workouts, there is a gym, recovery, proper nutrition, rest. Every detail counts.

What role does psychology play in an athlete of your level?

Huge. When you reach a high level, fitness is not the only one that counts-everyone is just as training. What makes the difference is mental endurance, concentration, faith in yourself. There are matches that you win first in mind and then on the feet. Proper stress management and calm at the critical moment are what take you one step further.

You have participated in four Olympics. What was your strongest moment in them?

The most intense moment was, without a doubt, my first participation in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. I was very young then 18 years old, and only the fact that I was among the world’s tops was huge. Living the atmosphere closely, wearing the coat of arms, walking to the Olympic village next to athletes you admired from a young age … are experiences that stay for a lifetime. Of course, it was also a special involvement in London in 2012, when we managed to qualify for both myself and my brother Zafiris at the Olympics, unique emotions to be with your brother in an Olympiad and let alone reach the finals.

What is the biggest “lesson” given by the Olympics?

The Olympics teach you everything about sports – but mainly for yourself. They show you how tall you can get, but also how hard the road is. I learned to respect competition, manage failure with dignity and not give up, even when things don’t go as I had imagined them. The most important lesson? That true victory is not only in the medal, but on the way and the man you are through.

From speeds to endurance: How difficult was this change for you?

It was one of the biggest challenges of my career. The transition from sprints to endurance racing specialties was not simple – it required a completely different physiology, training, tactics and mentality. I started almost from scratch. I had to rebuild my body and my psychology. But I am proud to have been able to stand competitive in this category, showing that adaptation is a power for an athlete.

What attracts you the most on the endurance racing routes?

What draws me is strategy and constant tension. In endurance struggles not only the strongest, but the one who thinks more clearly, who reads the race correctly, who knows when to wait and when to attack. It’s like a chess on two wheels. Each round can bring ups, and this keeps the mind alert. It is exciting.

How do you combine professional sport with your personal life?

It is not easy, and often requires sacrifices. Professional sport is demanding, with endless hours of training, travel and racing. But I have people next to me who understand and support me. My family is my support. They help me keep balance, keep my feet on the ground and remember why I started this journey. You need understanding, communication and a lot of love.

Is there a man or value that gives you the power to continue?

I was always guided by faith in the values ​​of effort, honesty and consistency. But if I have to talk about a face, I will clearly say my family – my parents, my brother, my wife. They are the people who were with me in the difficult times, who believed in me even when I had a hard time doing it. They give me the power to continue, to get up and to chase the next dream.

We still see you dynamically active. What do we expect from Christos Volikakis in the coming years?

The truth is that I feel that I still have things to give. My love for cycling has not been extinguished-just as it is constantly renewed. My goal is to stay at a high level in the coming years, to claim the best I can again in big races, and of course to continue to honor my country. As long as the body and mind can afford, I will be on the track – with the same energy and passion.

Would you be interested in a coach or mentor role in the future?

Yes, it’s something I think seriously. I want to convey my experience and knowledge to the younger generation. I know firsthand how difficult it is to pave the way for yourself, and if I can help even a new athlete believe in himself and move on, it will be a great pleasure for me. Greek sport has talent – but it also needs people next to athletes, who know what efforts, decline and recovery again. If I can be one of them, it will be my honor.

What would you advise a child who today start cycling?

To believe in himself and truly love what he does. Cycling is not an easy sport – it has trouble, discipline and patience. But it is also a magical route, full of experiences and strong moments. To set goals, young and old, and to work for them every day. And most importantly: not to be afraid to fail. From failures you learn and build.

What is the biggest mistake a young athlete should avoid?

To wait for everything quickly and easily. The road is not straight – it has turns, uphill, falls. Many give up when things get it difficult. The biggest mistake is to stop trying because you don’t see an immediate result. Patience, consistency and belief in the process are what stands out in the end.