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The dramatic problems which the country is facing now, did not make the athletes from the national team in athletics and gymnastics give up the idea to just now set the beginning to their fight for one of their old causes. The cause for their hiring to work in the public sector ...

Paradoxically, and out of any unison with the reality that the country is experiencing at this difficult moment in history, the Greek athletes and gymnasts have decided to seek "justice" for themselves. Thus, they chose today to send a protest letter to Minister of Culture and Tourism Pavlos Gerulanos and to the Minister of the Interior of the country Yannis Ragousis, in which letter they insist on a change of the law N3812. Under this law, athletes who apply for employment in the public sector are obliged to stop all sports activities. This however is contrary to the interests of the athletes who insist that after their hiring in the public sector to have the right to choose on their own whether to be engaged in sports activities or not. In the list of protesters are also the names of stars of Greek athletics and gymnastics as Nikoleta Kiriakopulu, Petros Filipidis, Eleftherios Kosmidis.

There is no doubt that at the background of events in the country, including the collapse of public sector the actions undertaken by the athletes seem surprising selfish ... Inevitably, however, is born the following question - how could an athlete combine his competitive career with the work in the public sector? “So far, the state was giving them work in the military or fire departments. Often, after the training some of them were even receiving a captain’s rank” - explained to us a member of the Union of Greek sports journalists and asked for anonymity. "What will happen now is not clear. Situation is really difficult. "- He commented further.

The Law is the reason why in the first contest in athletics for the season, which will be held from 8th to 9th to be missing the names of the stars of Greek athletics ...

Here are fragments of the letter that the athletes sent to the ministers today: "Due to the inability to participate in track and field athletics competition next Saturday and Sunday 08-09.05, but also in any other competition, we want to inform you of the following: On  December 28^th, 2009 in Parliament was voted the Act 3812, in which under Article 11, paragraph 2 we are forcefully prohibited to continue our athletic career in order to be able to take advantage of a right that our country has given us in return for our success. The right to work. The Law, which you have voted prohibits the citizens of the state to choose what they will be involved in their free time after work, in our case to participate in competitions!!! If this is not a violation of men’s free choice, (and consequently of our human rights), than what else could it be? ... Dear Ministers, we are sure that this law is a momentary mistake and as romantic Greeks who still believe in the democratic values of our country, we rely on your recent intervention and on correction of the understanding of fairness so that we can bring prizes with color of the national team of Greece, of which we are members." Then follow the signatures of the athletes from the national team of the country in artistic gymnastics Eleftherios Kosmidis and Ksenofontas Kosmidis and of the athletes from the national team in track and field athletics - Lewis Tsatumas, Nicoletta Kiriakopoulu, Konstantinos Filipidis, Athanasia Pera, Sava Lika, Konstantinos Duvalidis, Paraskevi Papahristou, George Dupis, Yiannis Barlis, Platonas Gavelas, Aristidis Gavelas, Nicky Paneta, Petros Kiriakidis, Panagyota Tulumdzi, Stefanos Konstas, Pavlos Galaktiadis, Konstantinos Papazefiris, Yannis Smalyos, Michalis Merdzanidis, Persa Hadzinakou.