Biography

Israel European Triathlon
Giannis is a bright person, with a strong and optimistic personality.
The fact that he was born with a hand impairment did not prevent him from achieving great athletic, unusual achievements. However, alongside competitive sport, he also had an important professional career in marketing and sales, with many experiences and collaborations in Greece and abroad.
He is the first and only (so far) Greek athlete with a disability to complete the Ironman Triathlon marathon race. A fact that was captured in the award-winning documentary film “Our Limits”.
Motivational Speaker
As a motivational speaker, Giannis manages in a truly humane and genuine way to connect with his audience through his speeches or narratives, making his listeners realize that nothing in life is impossible if you want it bad enough, you prepare for it properly, you believe in yourself and your team while operating with vision and strategy.
He founded the non-profit crowdfunding platform giveandfund.com, which has supported hundreds of efforts of ordinary people and organizations to fulfill dreams and goals.

Work experience

Indicative CV
2014 - Today

Hellenic Paralympic Committee

Marketing and Sponsoring Consulting

Through an active marketing and fundraising strategy, HPC has reached record levels in sponsorship income in 2016 (Rio Paralympic Games), supported by major sponsors.

2013 - Today
Give&Fund

Founder

Management and development of the crowdfunding platform www.giveandfund.com

2019 - Today
Κέντρο Κοινωνικής Πρόνοιας Περιφέρειας Αττικής

Deputy President

Supports and replaces the President and the BoD in planning, management and executional tasks related to the role.

2005-2012

Symmetria Health Centre

Director of Operations and Business Development

Developed and executed the firm’s marketing strategy, including pricing policies and new product launches; directly managed staff of 30 people, operational and marketing budget for the firm; directly managed customer relations, relations with third parties and key stakeholders.

2001-2004
Organising Committee for the Olympic Games

Olympic Games Marketing & Sponsoring Section Manager

Managed accounts for: Xerox, Panasonic, ATOS Origin, Schenker. Developed Paralympic sponsorship programmes. Supported sponsors’ planning and execution of their Olympic operations.

1999-2000
Sydney - Organising Committee for the Olympic Games

Regional Coordinator National Paralympic Committees

Liaised with 34 National Committees, offering guidance on merchandising and ticketing issues.

Education

  • University of Technology Sydney: Graduate School of Business, Master in Management – Sports Management
  • University of Piraeus: Bachelor in Finance, specialisation in Marketing and Sales
  • Seminars: Project Management, Event Leadership Training, Change Management etc. (by TAFE Sydney, Australia, Partnership 2000 Management Training program)

Publications

Language Skills

  • Greek (native)
  • English (studies & working language)
  • French (conversational)

Sports Achievements

Ironman
2014
The first Greek athlete with a disability to complete the Ironman Triathlon (3.9 km swim, 180.2 km bicycle, 42.2 km run).
Triathlon - Paratriathlon
2011 - Today
Greek Champion for many years. Paratriathlon National Championships in 2021, Ironman 70.3 Greece in 2019, Ironman in 2014, London ITU World Paratriathlon Event in 2014, Alanya/Turkey European Championship in 2013, London World Championship in 2013, European Championship Eilat/Israel in 2012, London Olympic Test Event in 2011, Beijing World Championship in 2011.
Swimming Marathons
1991, 1992, 1993, 2021

(26 km, Toroneos gulf), the first Greek athlete with a disability to complete the crossing.

Swimming
1989 - 2002
Greek Champion. Atlanta Paralympic Team 1996. 6th Place at the World Swimming Championships in New Zealand (1998), 5th and 6th place at the European Swimming Championships (1997 and 2001).
Aegeathlon
2003
Organization and participation in the marathon open sea swimming relay, which crossed the Aegean sea from Sounio to Milos (145 km).
aegeathlon.com
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