Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis Attends Oath-Taking Ceremony of Olympic Champions Active Duty Reserve Officers

Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis Attends Oath-Taking Ceremony of Olympic Champions Active Duty Reserve Officers

June 30, 2026

On Tuesday 30 June 2026, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Thanasis Davakis attended the oath-taking ceremony of the Olympic Champions Active Duty Reserve Officers, which took place in the Armed Forces Officers Club.

The event was attended by the Chief HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief HNGS, Vice Admiral Dimitrios - Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Deputy Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Andreas Koronakis, as representative of the Chief HAGS, the Director of HAFGS B Branch, Major General (HAF) Argyrios Moustroufis, as representative of the Chief HAFGS, and the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Isidoros Kouvelos.

The event was also attended by General and Senior Officers of the Armed Forces, as well as family members of the new officers.

The following Olympic Champions received their commissions as Active Duty Reserve Officers:

• Second Lieutenant Apostolos Christou

• Second Lieutenant Theodoros Tselidis

• Second Lieutenant Zoi Fitsiou

• Ensign Emmanouil Karalis

• Ensign Dimitra-Eleni Kontou

• Second Lieutenant (HAF) Antonios Papakonstantinou

• Second Lieutenant (HAF) Petros Gaidatzis

In his address, Mr. Davakis stated:

"Today we formally welcome top-tier athletes to the ranks of the Armed Forces; people who have already honoured and raised our National Emblem to the highest levels of international sports.

In ancient times, Olympic Champions were people of great prestige and significance for the ancient Greek world. People would tear down their walls, in order for Olympic Champions to enter the city-states; a symbolic gesture, which reflected the greatness, significance, and value that Olympic Champions had for Greeks.

We, today, do not tear down walls, but we open the gates of the Armed Forces, this field that is sacred for our Country and owes its existence to the sacrifices of its children, who fought for freedom and independence.

I would like to wish you a good and dedicated career in your new duties from the bottom of my heart, resting assured that you will serve the Armed Forces with the same self-sacrifice, passion, and dignity that you have demonstrated in the international sports arena, during all these years".