Cypriot athlete Apostolos Parellis advanced to men`s discus final at Rio Olympic Games on Friday, after throwing 63.35 metres in the preliminary round.
Parellis becomes the second Cypriot athlete to compete in the Olympics track and field final, after high jumper Kyriakos Ioannou in 2012.
The final will be held Saturday at 7:50 a.m.
According to the correspondent of the Cyprus Sports Writers Union, Erodotos Miltiadous, the Cypriot athlete threw his discus 61.60m, 63.35m and 61.74m, successively, and finished 8th with his second effort being the one that gained him a place in the final.
Only the top 12 make it to the final of the event.
“I could have done better” said Parellis, who failed to advance to the final of the 2012 London Olympic Games, finishing 13th.
“It is one of my greatest achievements, along with the 6th place last year (in the World Championships in Athletics). But to advance to the Olympic final is something even more difficult. I know I am writing history, since only me and Kyriakos got in a track and field final for Cyprus” he noted.
“It is difficult to win a medal” he said, but added that he will compete at the final without feeling stressed.
