Pole vault bronze medalist Emmanoúil Karalís was sworn in as an ensign of the Hellenic Navy at the Armed Forces Officers...

Pole vault bronze medalist Emmanoúil Karalís was sworn in as an ensign of the Hellenic Navy at the Armed Forces Officers Club, just days after finishing third at the Diamond League meet in Paris. Karalís and several other Greek Olympic medalists from the 2024 Paris Games were formally inducted into the Greek Armed Forces as a reward for their achievements at the Olympics. Those who had not yet joined a branch of the military took their oaths at the ceremony, which was administered by boxing champion and Hellenic Air Force officer Dionýsis Psychogios. "It is my honor to have joined the Hellenic Navy. An honor worthy of Olympians," Karalís said, posting photos from the ceremony to his social media accounts. Rower Milena Kontou also joined the Navy. Swimmer Apóstolos Christou, rower Zoi Fitsiou, and judoka Thodorís Tselidis were sworn into the Army. Rowers Andónis Papakonstantínou and Pétros Gkaidatzis were inducted into the Air Force. The tradition reflects a longstanding practice of integrating elite Greek athletes into the armed forces following their performance at the Olympic Games, giving decorated competitors a formal place within the country's military structure. #Greece #HellenicNavy #Olympics