It was September 9, 1982, when the javelin of Anna Veroulis, in the then newly built Olympic Stadium, was nailed at 70.02 meters. In its orbit towards the ethers, this spear lifted a country into the heavens! Anna became the first Greek athlete with a gold medal in major competitions in the history of Greek sports, while the following year, in 1983, she won the bronze medal at the 1st World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, which was the first medal for our country in a World Championship.
Anna Veroulis is a candidate on the European ballot of PASOK-Movement for Change and yesterday she was in Patras, invited by Peloponnisos fm 104.1
She spoke exclusively to “P” and revealed unknown aspects of her sports career, but also her life…
“I AM ANNA TO THE WORLD”
– What do you remember most regarding that gold medal?
It was so moving when all the Greeks sang our National Anthem together in the Olympic Stadium. If you still remembered it, then I think I also did something for our country! I don’t think I did anything very important. But I loved what I was doing very much, I was fighting for the National Team, for our flag, for our Greece!
– Do you feel blessed?
It is very important for a person to become so loved. It is a blessing for me to be loved, it is very touching to be called by my first name on the street. Because to the world, I’m Anna, I’m not Verouli! This is a medal for me!
“I HAD IMAGINED MY PERFORMANCE”
– Was that 1982 gold a surprise for you too?
I really believed that I would win! If you are not true to a vision, you will never achieve it. When in 1979 I started training with my late coach Vassilis Kokolis, he asked me: “What do you want to be?” And I answered him: “World Champion!”
– Did you think you would be?
I wanted it! I have a motto in my life: “I dream, I can!” Whatever you dream of in your life, when you see this dream with the eyes of your soul, then it happens! Then, the dream turns into a want. And when you want something badly, you get it. I really wanted it too!
For 3-4 years I was working on the 1982 pan-European games in my mind and in fact exactly with the measurements I wanted to throw! And what I imagined in my mind, became reality! I did mental training: Morning–noon–evening! I was relaxing with a special technique, “emptying” the inside and listening to a tape with headphones, with the commands I was giving myself!
– What “orders” were these?
That I am well, what I want to achieve, where I want to reach! Always positive thoughts. I was saying what I want to achieve in these matches, even how much I wanted to throw the javelin to win! I remember, the previous year, I had a performance of 62.36 meters. When I asked my coach, how much he thinks I will throw at the European Championships, he told me 68 meters. I tell him “you are wrong! I will throw 70.02 meters!” And that’s exactly what I threw at the Pan-Europeans and I won!
– Unbelievable…
Nothing is unbelievable! It was no miracle. It was what I wanted, what I believed. Of course, to achieve this, I trained hard!
– Did you see yourself on the podium?
In training, every time I made a good shot, I raised my hands and said “First: Anna Veroulis, Greece!”. Of course, my poor mother would say “my child goes… jump!” But I believed it too much. My victory, which for the world was a surprise, was not for me, because I had made it a reality inside me! And this is what I tell the children: “Anything you want to achieve and believe in it a lot, it will happen!” It’s enough to believe it and stay true to your dream! No matter how many doubts you accept!”.
– Did you “pain” a lot to achieve your dream?
Nothing comes easy. Everything in our life is an effort. Life is like a marathon! You don’t know what you will encounter following the bend, following the uphill. Just keep going!
“WHERE ARE YOU LEAVING ME?”
– After all, with Sofia Sakorafa, did you have a feud then?
Journalists then favored Sofia. While I had second place in the world. I don’t know why… Maybe because she was a nice girl. I was a bit short… We had a competition, but a healthy one. I respected Sofia and I respect her. Because it’s part of my story. Because we started together! The first games we played were in 1971 in Kavala! We grew up together!
I’ll tell you something: When Sofia was injured, had surgery and returned to track, I knew how weak she was. And while in training I threw 70 meters, when we played opponents, I mightn’t attack her! Because the javelin is an attack. And then when she said she was going to stop, I said “Me, where are you leaving me?” I felt proud, that two Greek women, we were the best duo in the world!”.
“A NATIONAL GREECE IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT”
– What is your goal, if you are elected to the European Parliament?
I want our Greece to be a strong force there! I want those who talk regarding Greece to make others talk too much!
A European champion is speaking to you!
We Greeks have dignity! We have endured a lot! I don’t like to hear my country being blamed! We just need to be united!
If a proposal for an MEP from another party came forward, which would serve the national interest, I would have no problem voting for it!
– What did you want to tell the voters?
Vote for any party you want, except for the extremes of course, but first read their programs! Not what… shines on TV! Elections are not a casual vote! In Europe, all decisions concerning the future of our country are made! Let the people give PASOK the power to be the second party. We have a very good ballot, with great people!
And of the 4 crosses, if they want, let them give me one too!
Let’s send a Greek national team to Europe!
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