The Olympic Games, currently ongoing in Paris, stand as the pinnacle of global sports events, bringing together the world's top athletes in a display of exceptional talent and dedication. Among these remarkable competitors is Marilena Makri, a standout Cypriot sailor whose journey has captured the hearts of many.

Recognizing her extraordinary potential and commitment, Grant Thornton has decided to support her Olympic journey. To understand the rationale behind this decision, we spoke with Stavros Ioannou, the CEO of Grant Thornton Cyprus.

Our decision to support Marilena Makri was driven by her extraordinary talent, dedication, and the values she embodies, which resonate deeply with our own corporate ethos. Marilena’s journey from a young sailor in Limassol to an Olympian athlete is a testament to perseverance, excellence, and ambition—all qualities we champion within our firm. Our mission is to help individuals and organisations go beyond, and Marilena's story is a perfect reflection of this mission. She exemplifies the commitment to achieving greatness through hard work and resilience.

I strongly believe that by sponsoring Marilena, we are not only supporting an exceptional athlete but also promoting the spirit of striving for excellence. To us, this partnership is so much more than financial support; it is about being part of her journey and celebrating her successes as our own. We believe that Marilena's determination and achievements will inspire our team, clients, and the wider community to pursue their goals with similar vigor and dedication. In essence, this sponsorship is a natural extension of our values, reinforcing our commitment to fostering talent and excellence in every field we engage with.

I feel that Marilena’s journey and achievements perfectly align with our core principles and vision. Her story exemplifies the pursuit of excellence, the resilience to overcome challenges, and a commitment to achieving her goals. These qualities are central to our firm's culture. Our teams too, operate by pushing boundaries, striving for continuous improvement, and achieving outstanding results through dedication and hard work.

I see Marilena’s journey as she evolved from a young sailor to an Olympic contender mirroring our own journey as a firm—growing from strength to strength, embracing challenges, and seizing opportunities to excel on a global stage. Her achievements are a testament to her strategic mindset and resilience, all of which align with our vision to be the go-to firm for dynamic organisations seeking growth and success.

Moreover, Marilena’s ability to balance her academic pursuits with her sporting career reflects our commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals who excel in multiple domains. Her journey inspires us to support and cultivate talent, encouraging our team and clients to pursue their ambitions with the same passion and determination.

I believe that Marilena’s achievements have the potential to create a significant and lasting impact on the local community and inspire a new generation of young athletes in Cyprus. Her success story serves as a powerful example of what can be accomplished through continuous effort and commitment, regardless of the obstacles faced.

We believe that Marilena’s journey will inspire young athletes to pursue their passions with the same determination and enthusiasm. Her accomplishments can motivate them to set high goals, work diligently, and never give up on their dreams. In addition, I believe that Marilena’s success on the international stage brings pride to Cyprus, showcasing the island’s potential to produce world-class athletes.

Through our support, we hope to foster a culture of encouragement and support within the local community. By celebrating Marilena’s achievements and sharing her story, we aim to ignite a sense of possibility and ambition among young people in Cyprus. We are confident that her journey will not only elevate the profile of sailing in Cyprus but also inspire others to strive for excellence and achieve their goals.

Supporting Marilena Makri aligns seamlessly with our broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which focuses on fostering talent, promoting excellence, and contributing to the well-being of our community. Our CSR initiatives are designed to make a positive impact on our society by supporting education, sports, and community development. Sponsoring Marilena is a natural extension of our commitment to these areas.

Through these initiatives, we strive to create a positive impact and contribute to the growth and development of our society. Supporting Marilena Makri is a proud moment for us, as it embodies our commitment to empowering individuals and fostering a spirit of excellence and ambition.

While this is not my specific area of expertise, I can share that our marketing team has developed a comprehensive multichannel campaign to support Marilena Makri.

We plan to mainly use digital media to celebrate our collaboration with Marilena and use social media platforms to share updates on Marilena's journey, create engaging content, and connect with our audience.

Finally, we also to celebrate our partnership with Marilena internally by hosting viewing parties in show of our support.

I am a strong believer that organisations like Grant Thornton have a crucial role to play in supporting young individuals and in this case promoting athletes and sports. Our previous support of Milan Trajkovic and now Marilena Makri underscores our commitment to fostering talent and encouraging excellence. I’d like to think that by championing sports, we help young people find constructive ways to spend their time, fostering discipline, perseverance, and a healthy lifestyle.

At the same time, supporting athletes helps them achieve their dreams and brings pride to the community. It also fosters a culture of excellence, inspiring others to pursue their passions. Through our sponsorships, we aim to contribute to the well-being of society, encouraging healthy, active lifestyles and demonstrating the values of dedication and hard work.

In a nutshell, our involvement in sports sponsorship reflects our belief in the power of sports to inspire and uplift the community, encouraging young people to pursue their passions and strive for excellence.

At Grant Thornton Cyprus, we are passionate about supporting athletes and community initiatives. Our sponsorships of Marilena Makri and Milan Trajkovic highlight our dedication to fostering talent and promoting excellence.

In addition to sports, we value educational programs, environmental sustainability, and community development. We believe that supporting diverse projects can make a significant positive impact on society.

We also recognize the importance of partnerships with local organizations to enhance our community engagement. Through these collaborations, we aim to create opportunities and support the broader development of our community.

CEO of Grant Thornton in Cyprus, Stavros Ioannou