Come and Meet Three Time Olympic Gold Medalist Pyrros Dimas on Friday, April 27, 2012, from 6pm-8pm in the Frosene Education and Activities Center of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Washington, DC.

Any donations will be appreciated and ALL proceeds go towards the Greek Language School Program of Himara, Northern Epiros. This event is sponsored by the Himarrioton Society of America and the Epirotic Society of Washington, DC.

Dimas started the sport at 11 and competed at a junior's level at 14. At 18, in 1989, he became triple Champion of Albania for the 82.5 kg category and in 1990 he repeated himself. Dimas emigrated to Greece in 1991, at age 20. He acquired Greek citizenship in 1992,and first competed under the Greek flag in the 1992 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal in the 82.5 kg class. During his 202.5 kg lift at the clean and jerk, he shouted "Gia tin Ellada!"; meaning "For Greece!". This is the catchphrase with which he is most associated in Greece.

Dimas was greeted as a national hero upon his return at a grand ceremony attended by 60,000 people at the Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens, with a further 30,000 outside the stadium.His birthplace gave rise to his nickname "The Lion of Himara". His outstanding number of Olympic Gold Medals created another nickname "Midas". Characteristic of his self-confidence was his tendency to keep the weights lifted after the buzzer had sounded so that the crowd could take photographs.

Please join us to take your own photograph with the "Lion of Himara," Mr. Pyrros Dimas.