Sotirios Versis

Greek athlete and weightlifter Sotirios Versis was born to a wealthy family and eventually became a stockbroker. Representing Panellinios GS, Versis competed at the 1896 Athína Olympics where he won two bronze medals. In the discus he threw 27.780 metres to finish in third place, just behind compatriot Panagiotis Paraskevopoulos. Versis then competed in two weightlifting events; a one-handed lift with a dumbbell, and a two-handed lift with a barbell. The one-handed lift only had four competitors taking part, with Versis finishing in fourth place, some distance behind his nearest rivals. He had better fortune in the two-handed lift, however, where he finished in third place to win the bronze medal.

Four years later Versis competed in the shot put at the 1900 Paris Olympics but failed to record a mark in the qualification round. He was also scheduled to participate in the discus throw but did not start the event. Versis later took up sport shooting and competed at the 1912 edition of the Panhellenic Games. He died in 1919 from influenza.

Personal Best: DT – 27.78 (1896).