Konstantinos Tsiklitiras

Konstantinos Tsiklitiras

Konstantinos Tsiklitiras competing at standing high jump at the 1912 Olympics
Personal information
Native name	Κωνσταντίνος Τσικλητήρας
Nickname	Kostas (Κώστας)
Born	30 October 1888 Pylos, Peloponnesos, Kingdom of Greece
Died	10 February 1913 (aged 24) Athens, Kingdom of Greece
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	81 kg (179 lb)
Military career
Allegiance	Kingdom of Greece
Service / branch	Hellenic Army
Rank	Private
Battles / wars	Balkan Wars First Balkan War Battle of Bizani
Sport
Country	Greece
Sport	Jumping
Club	Panellinios GS, Athina
Medal record Representing Greece Olympic Games 1912 Stockholm Standing long jump 1908 London Standing long jump 1908 London Standing high jump 1912 Stockholm Standing high jump

Konstantinos "Kostis" Tsiklitiras (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος "Κωστής" Τσικλητήρας; 30 October 1888 – 10 February 1913) was a Greek athlete and Olympic champion.^[1][2]

Born in Pylos, he moved to Athens in 1905 to study medicine.^[3] Tsiklitiras soon took up sports and joined Panellinios GS. He practised football with Panellinios and Panathinaikos (he was the first goalkeeper of Panathinaikos) and water polo, but is best remembered for winning four Olympic medals in standing long jump and standing high jump in the 1908 and 1912 Summer Olympics.^[3] He was Greek champion 19 times.

His career stopped in 1913 when he volunteered to fight in the Balkan Wars. Although he could avoid conscription, he insisted on fighting for his country and fought at the Battle of Bizani. He contracted meningitis and died in Athens at the age of 24.^[4] His family home still exists in Pylos and holds a museum of his athletic achievements. ^[5][6] There is a marble statue in front.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Konstantinos Tsiklitiras.

• Konstantinos Tsiklitiras at the Hellenic Olympic Committee