Marina Hadjicosta responds to racist comments after international athletics success

Limassol, Cyprus. Young Cypriot athlete Marina Hadjicosta has responded to racist comments received after her recent international success, saying she is proud to represent Cyprus regardless of her heritage.

In a social media post, the 17-year-old described herself as a “proud Cypriot” and said she would continue representing the country with pride.

Personal background

Hadjicosta was born in Limassol in February 2009 and was adopted at birth by Simoni Papaleontiou Hadjicosta and Savvas Hadjicostas.

Her biological mother was Polish and her biological father Nigerian.

She attended the 3rd primary school in Limassol before moving to Lanitio sports gymnasium and later Lanitio sports lyceum, where she is due to begin her final year in September.

Hadjicosta said her adoptive mother was a refugee from Varosha in Famagusta who moved to Limassol following the invasion of 1974. Her father is from Limassol, with family roots in Pachna and Akapnou.

International achievements

“I may not have ‘Cypriot blood’ running through my veins, but I am a proud Cypriot and I have represented, and will continue to represent, my country with pride,” she wrote.

Hadjicosta recalled becoming emotional when she heard the Cypriot national anthem after winning gold at the European Under-18 Championships in Italy.

She recently won bronze at the World Under-20 Championships and said she had been determined throughout the competition to make Cyprus proud.

“Cyprus may be a small island with fewer than one million inhabitants, but we are a very strong country that can compete with countries considered giants,” she said.