“I don’t have ‘Cypriot blood’ but I’m a proud Cypriot,” says teen bronze medallist

Local racismsportsTop News “I don’t have ‘Cypriot blood’ but I’m a proud Cypriot,” says teen bronze medallist Marina Xatzikosta Chatzikosta Relevant News “I don’t have ‘Cypriot blood’ but I’m a proud Cypriot,” says teen bronze medallist 11 August 2026 More than half of new Cyprus cars now hybrid 11 August 2026 Public GPs don’t close at 3pm, health chief says 11 August 2026 newsroom 11 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Marina Hadjicosta has opened up about her background and adoption, days after winning bronze in the discus at the World U20 Championships in Oregon. The 17-year-old champion spoke openly in a social media post about her origins and adoption, expressed her pride in Cyprus, and revealed the racist comments she has received following her major international successes. In a mature message, the young athlete spoke out against discrimination, stressing that identity and love for one’s country are not defined by “blood” or skin colour. She also called on the state and the relevant authorities to tackle racism decisively, so that everyone can live together in harmony and without exclusion. “How Cypriot I am is shown by my results and my humanity,” the European U18 champion and World U20 bronze medallist wrote, among other things, in her post. Hadjicosta’s post, reproduced here in full: “I am Marina Hadjicosta. I was born in Limassol on February 8, 2009. I was adopted at birth by my parents, Simoni Papaleontiou Hadjicosta and Savvas Hadjicosta. My biological mother was from Poland and my biological father from Nigeria. I attended the 3rd Primary School, then Laniteio Athletic Gymnasium, and I’m now at Laniteio Athletic Lyceum, where I’ll start the third year in September. “My mother was a refugee from Famagusta, specifically Varosha, who came to Limassol after the coup, and my father is from Limassol, with roots in the villages of Pachna and Akapnou. I may not have ‘Cypriot blood’ in my veins, but I am a proud Cypriot, and I have represented, and will keep representing, my country with pride. When I first heard our national anthem in Italy at the European U18 Championship, where I won gold, I welled up with the pride I felt. “Now, at the World U20 Championship, where I won bronze, every moment of the competition, I thought about wanting to make my country proud. Cyprus may be a small island, with fewer than 1 million people, but we are a very strong country, one that can compete with countries considered giants. The racism I’ve received in comments from various people after my successes is unacceptable, and other athletes, like the great Milan Trajkovic, one of the best athletes to come through Cyprus, with many international honours, go through it every day too. “This is an issue the state and the relevant authorities need to address, so that we can all live together in harmony, without discrimination. How ‘Cypriot’ I am is shown by my results, and by my humanity. Good luck to the whole Cyprus delegation taking part in the European Championship.” Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News More than half of new Cyprus cars now hybrid Public GPs don’t close at 3pm, health chief says Isaak and Solomou killings: 30 years on, no one has been convicted On this day: U.S. painter Jackson Pollock, leader of the abstract expressionist movement, was killed in a car accident in 1956 Six Cyprus lyceums to pilot new job-focused school stream Cyprus schools to get social workers as pilot programme launches in September 5.5 million euro plan to revive Peyia’s historic centre takes shape Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.