Spyros Pinas

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameSpyros Paul•Pinas
Used nameSpyros•Pinas
Original nameΣπύρος•Πινας
Other namesSpiro Pina
Born14 July 1973
Died17 March 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)
Measurements170 cm / 75 kg
NOC Greece

Biography

Spiro Pina grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he earned nine varsity letters at St. Paul Central High School. He took luge when he was 16 when US recruiters were looking for sliders for the national team. When he realized he had little chance to make the American team, he used his dual Greek citizenship to compete for Greece at the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics. Pina graduated from the University of Minnesota and earned a Masters’ degree in public policy and economics. He was fluent in six languages – English, Spanish, Norwegian, Greek, French, and German. While training for the Olympics he taught French in public schools in the Twin Cities area. He died quite young from a brain tumor.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1994 Winter Olympics Luge GRE Spyros Pinas
Singles, Men (Olympic) 24
1998 Winter Olympics Luge GRE Spyros Pinas
Singles, Men (Olympic) 24