Apostolos Nikolaidis

Born in Bulgaria in 1896 Apostolos Nikolaidis first moved to Constantinople before arriving in Greece in 1914 where he became a distinguished figure in Greek sport. Nikolaidis competed in multiple sports including track and field athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, and even motor racing, with him having a lifelong association with Panathinaikos.

Nikolaidis was selected to compete in the decathlon at the 1920 Antwerpen Olympics but was forced to withdraw from the competition after four events after suffering with a high fever. He went on to recover from his illness, playing for the Greek football team at the Antwerpen Games in their 9–0 defeat against Sweden. After the Olympics Nikolaidis won the Panhellenic basketball championship with Panathinaikos in 1921 and won the silver medal in the pole vault at the 1924 Panhellenic Games.

After an active sporting career Nikolaidis became an important name in sports management and administration in Greece. In addition to playing football for Panathinaikos for more than a decade he managed the team from 1923 to 1928, followed by a spell as the manager of the national team from 1934 to 1935. From 1926 to 1927 he served as the President of the Hellenic Football Federation and later became the President of the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association from 1945 until 1967. Nikolaidis continued with his passion for motor racing and was one of the founders of the Acropolis Rally and the President of the Automobile and Touring Club of Greece.

In 1974 Nikolaidis became the President of Panathinaikos and was elected as the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, serving in the latter role until 1976. Nikolaidis died in October 1980, with the Alexandra Avenue Stadium renamed as the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium the following year.

Personal Best: Dec – unknown.