ATHENS, September 9, 2024 - The Greek Sport Journalists Association bids farewell to one of its most valuable and historical members. Pavlos Gerakaris passed away unexpectedly at the age of 75 while swimming. His death was an enormous shock not only for sport journalists, but also for the whole sport family. He was honorary president of the Association and served as its president from 2006 till 2012. He marked an entire era in sports press and was one of the most appealing journalists.

50 YEARS OF JOURNALISM He was born in 1949 and grew up in Piraeus (Korydallos), where he was involved in the affairs of his town, having been elected to the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Korydallos. He was a graduate of the Political Department of the University of Athens and in his long period of about 50 years of journalism, he was mainly involved in sports reporting, He was the director of the sports departments of several daily newspapers while he was also the director of Sports at the national TV. He also attended several AIPS Congresses and international AIPS initiatives.

MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS During his career, he has covered major sporting events for all media around the world, five Olympic Games, world football championships, world and European championships in athletics, cycling, boxing, weightlifting and other sports. He was a member for the "Athens 2004" Olympic Games bid and his contribution to the preparation and the organization of the same event was remarkable. Since 1980, he has been active in the Board of Directors of the Greek Sports Journalists Association, where he served as Secretary General, First Vice President and President. He was also a member of the Disciplinary Council of ESIEA (Journalists’ Union of Athens daily newspapers) and the president of the secondary Disciplinary Council of ESIEA.

ADVOCATE He strongly defended the rights of his colleagues and citizens for independent and objective information. He developed action in the social field as well, with his participation in movements and initiatives for the natural environment and with lectures on the serious issues of violence, doping, racism and drugs.

A GREAT MAN The Greek Sports Journalists Association mourns a great journalist, an important unionist, a great man, who fought for the Association and our rights for many years.

The Board of Directors sends its deepest condolences to his wife Eva and son Spyros.