Anna Pollatou was born in Argostoli, Kefalonia on the 8th October 1983. She started Rhythmic Gymnastics with the local “Athletic and Gymnastic Association of Eptanison” in 1988 at the early age of 5. With the coaching of her trainer Mrs Bozena Bartkovska-Basiardis she excelled both in Panhellenic championships and in international competitions.
In 1997 she was summoned to join the Ensemble National Team with which she distinguished herself and won all the titles: European Champion, World Champion and Olympic Medalist. In particular, in 1999 she won with the ensemble 3 gold medals at the Budapest European championship in group all-round competition and at the apparatus finals. In the same year, at the World championship in Osaka, Japan, she won with the ensemble 2 gold medals in the apparatus finals and 1 silver medal in group all-round competition. In 2000, at the Olympic Games in Sydney, she competed with the Ensemble National Team of Greece winning the bronze medal in group all-round competition.
Unfortunately, on the 17th May 2014 she lost her life in a car accident leaving an irreplaceable gap behind her.
The Organizing Committee of the Festival and her local Sports Club Eptanison to honour her for what she established and offered to her home island, Kefalonia, and country Greece, decided to name the event after her name. And thus, the international festival Gymnastics for all ‘’ANNA POLLATOU’’ was born in the year 2014.
