Are you listening, you vile racists? Marina is more Cypriot than any of you

Opinion racism Are you listening, you vile racists? Marina is more Cypriot than any of you Marina Hadjikosta Relevant News Are you listening, you vile racists? Marina is more Cypriot than any of you 12 August 2026 Averof told you some home truths 12 August 2026 Cyprus aviation checks found no grounds to restrict Ryanair operations 12 August 2026 Giorgos Kallinikou 12 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber “I may not have ‘Cypriot blood’ running through my veins, but I am a proud Cypriot. I have represented, and will continue to represent, my country with pride. When I first heard our national anthem in Italy at the European Under-18 Championships, where I won the gold medal, my eyes filled with tears of pride…” I admit I did not know 17-year-old Marina Hadjicosta. I am sure the same is true for thousands of others. But she introduced herself to us. In the best possible way. In a way that means we will never forget her now. By teaching us a powerful lesson in life. A lesson against racism. A lesson in dignity. A lesson in humanity. Above all, a lesson in patriotism. At just 17, with an inner strength that many could only envy, she stood before us and introduced herself: “I was born in Limassol on 8 February 2009. I was adopted at birth by my parents, Simoni Papaleontiou Hadjicosta and Savvas Hadjicostas. My biological mother was from Poland and my biological father was from Nigeria.” Racism came after her. Because of the colour of her skin. It tried to suffocate her. “The racism I received in comments from various people after my successes is unacceptable,” she wrote in her post, after winning a bronze medal for Cyprus in the discus at the World Under-20 Championships. But no pathetic racist was able to shake her inner strength. No cheap racist managed to knock her off course. No despicable individual who judges people by the colour of their skin was able to diminish her love for our small but beloved homeland. Yesterday, she stood proudly before society and declared at the top of her voice: “How Cypriot I am is shown by my results and by my humanity.” Her message could not have been louder. But it will almost certainly never reach the ears of those miserable creatures who see nothing beyond skin colour. Just as it never reached the ears of those equally insignificant people who targeted Antetokounmpo for years. Until, in the end, he put them all firmly in their place. It is sad. And infuriating. A girl who was born and raised in Cyprus, who lives here, who competes in Cyprus colours, who makes us proud, is forced to explain to some people that she is Cypriot. Because her skin is not the colour they have decided a Cypriot’s skin should be. Because her biological parents were not born on this island. So learn this, you pitiful excuses for human beings — you do not even deserve to be called small-minded people: a homeland is not the colour of your skin. It is not your DNA. Your homeland is where you grow up. Where you love. Where you build memories. Where you feel you belong. It is the people who embrace you, your home, your school, your friends, the streets you have walked, the language you speak, the joys and hardships you have lived through. Above all, it is what your soul cries out to be. The ugliness of those who insulted her lies not only in the words they used. It lies mainly in the mentality behind them. The belief that some people are somehow more Cypriot than others. That someone’s skin colour matters more than the life they have lived. That a person’s appearance can determine their worth. Learn this, then, you wretched people: it cannot. This is one of those moments when a sporting achievement becomes an opportunity to talk about something far bigger. About who we are as a society. At 17, Marina Hadjikosta has taught us something that many far older people have never managed to learn. She reminded us that a person can possess enormous strength in their arms, their legs, their entire body. But real strength lies somewhere else. In the soul. It lies in the way you look every vile racist straight in the eye. In the way you stand back up when others try to force you to your knees. In the way you defend yourself without losing your humanity. That is why we owe Marina Hadjicosta an enormous thank you. For the lesson she has taught us. Because today she did not simply win a competition. She won something far greater. She forced us to look at ourselves in the mirror. There are times when sport reminds us that the most important medals are not always the ones we hang around an athlete’s neck. The bronze medal Marina won is precious and significant. But more precious and more important still is the medal for humanity. And that is one she has won forever. 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