As the 2024 Paris Olympics gathered the world’s top athletes, Cyprus proudly presented a delegation of fifteen determined competitors. Among them, four athletes stand out with their unique experience from the rigorous college sports scene in the United States. Two actively balance their academic pursuits with athletics, while the other two have already made their mark as graduates. Let’s take a closer look at these exceptional individuals.
Olivia Fotopoulou
Track and Field
University of Alabama
2014-2018
Olivia Fotopoulou’s race in the repechage race for the 200m (H3), in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Source: ERT Greece
Olivia Fotopoulou has made a name for herself in track and field, specializing in sprints (100m and 200m). She competed for the University of Alabama from 2014 to 2018, where she developed both as an athlete and a person. Olivia graduated from Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and then prolonged her studies while still competing at the highest level. Before succeeding as an Olympian, she got her Master’s Degree in Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology in Valencia.
Kalia Antoniou
Swimming
University of Alabama
2018-2023
A second Crimson Tide graduate represented Cyprus in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kalia Antoniou has had an impressive swimming career at the University of Alabama, where she competed as part of the Alabama Crimson Tide swim team in the NCAA from 2018 to 2023. At Paris La Defense Arena, where the swimming events took place, Kalia ranked 18th in the 100m freestyle. Her performance establishes her as the best Cypriot swimmer in Olympic Games history! Kalia took full advantage of her time at the University of Alabama as she graduated with a BSc in Commerce & Business Administration, and an MSc in Hospitality Management.
Elena Kulichenko
Track and Field
University of Georgia
2020-Present
Elena Kulichenko is a talented high jumper who competes at the University of Georgia. At 22 years old, Elena was the flag bearer for the Cypriot delegation in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. Her outstanding performance in Paris was one for the Cyprus track and field history books as she became the first Cypriot woman to reach an Olympic final in athletics! The impressive development as a “Georgia Bulldog” in Atlanta and competing in the NCAA championships laid the groundwork for her success. Kulichenko is majoring in Human Development and Family Science.
Nikolas Antoniou
Swimming
University of California, Berkeley
2023 – Present
Does the surname sound familiar? That’s because Nikolas Antoniou (freestyle swimmer) is Kalia Antoniou’s younger brother. It seems like the US college experience of his sister convinced Nikolas to follow in her footsteps and develop his talents and education on American soil. After breaking several national records Nikolas Antoniou decided to compete for the University of California, Berkeley. His 2024 performances as a freshman in the NCAA competitions have demonstrated his potential to excel on a global scale. The Paris Olympics was Nikolas’ second participation in the Olympic Games after Tokyo in 2021.