On November 1st, Paralympian Charalambos Taganidis began swimming from the port of Souda to Sitia.
According to Creta Post, Charalambos Taganidis is expected to arrive in Sitia this afternoon with the municipal authorities preparing a brilliant welcome for him.
The Greek Paralympic champion swam 250 miles across Crete in the open ocean to support the institution of guide dogs in Greece so that every blind citizen of ours can get such a dog and be able to get out of his house.
Announcement of the municipality of Sitia:
"It is with great pleasure that the Municipality of Sitia, as a supporter of the effort, will welcome the athlete on the afternoon of Thursday, November 9, at the finish of the 250 miles of the route Chania - Sitia at the port of our city.
"We invite all our fellow citizens to reward with their presence the effort of Paralympic champion Charalambos Taiganidis, who honoured our place by designating it as the end point of his great effort".
"It is worth noting that Charalambos Taiganidis had travelled the Rhodes-Symi route and had been harassed by a Turkish boat, while after this venture, he decided to swim across Crete from its western to its eastern end.
"It is worth noting that the project is under the auspices of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee, which - as he says - 'supports all people without exception, without discrimination, through its actions for a better life'."
Who is Charalambos Taiganidis?
Charalambos Taiganidis was born on March 11, 1981, in Thessaloniki and comes from the village of Polymylos in the municipality of Hellespont.
According to his statements, his phobia of water pushed him to take up swimming to overcome it.
In 2003, after he had already distinguished himself at the pan-Hellenic level, he learned that he was suffering from a serious eye disease, which degenerates vision, gradually diminishes it and causes retinal nerves to atrophy.
However, he does not shy away and takes part and continues to receive awards.
In 2002, he won first place in the 50-metre backstroke, setting a new pan-Hellenic record. The vision problems that plagued him the following year forced him to jump to the S13 category.
The following year, he participated in the Paralympic Games, which were held in Athens and won first place in the 100-meter butterfly, the 100-metre backstroke, and second in the 50-metre backstroke.
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