Exciting and totally successful, the 16th “Philoctetes” went down in history on Sunday 20 October 2024. The poor weather conditions with low temperatures for the time of year as well as enhanced northerly winds seem to have envied the glory of the marathon swimmers and certainly prevented a larger number of participants. For this reason, the organisers adjusted the original distance of 6 kilometres to 2.5 kilometres and changed the direction of the course to ensure the safety of the athletes. The shorter race with a 1.5 km course was also held with a modified direction, received very positive feedback and seems to be establishing itself as it appeals to a larger audience of amateur swimmers. From early morning, however, dozens of visitors and escorts of the athletes were at the restaurant “To Mouragio” on the beach of Velika to give their warmest applause to all the swimmers who took part in the race.

Ο «Φιλοκτήτης», ο οποίος από το 2006 αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό αθλητικό θεσμό και ένα ξεχωριστό σημείο αναφοράς για την περιοχή αφού είναι ο μοναδικός – στο είδος του – αγώνας ανοικτής θάλασσας που διεξάγεται στον νομό της Λάρισας. Χαρακτηριστικό του αγώνα οι συμμετοχές αθλητών της κολύμβησης, από την Λάρισα, τις πόλεις της Θεσσαλίας, την Αθήνα, την Χαλκιδική, τα Ιωάννινα και από άλλες περιοχές της Ελλάδος με τις ηλικίες τους να κυμαίνονται από 13 έως 67 ετών!

The Power of the Soul

A swimmer with special abilities sent a special social message with his participation in the 16th “Philoctetes”. In particular, the swimmer Mr. Dimitris Argyropoulos, a fanatical participant of “Philoctetes”, proved for the umpteenth time that the power of the human soul and the love for sport can overcome the imperfections resulting from physical disability.