Dr. Sophia Papamichalopoulos, an IOC Young Leader and Olympian, discusses her project Winds of Change and the premiere of the upcoming documentary at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with Ty Olsen from Zig Sailing Insider. Read this interview and discover the inspiring story of a remarkable woman and her mission to unite a divided country through the sport of sailing!
Winds of Change
A Brief history lesson
TCO: We initially met last year in Spain at the World Sailing Annual Conference when you made a presentation about the Winds of Change. Until your presentation, I had no idea about the longstanding conflicts that were taking place in Cyprus. I must confess; I felt somewhat ignorant for not knowing these conflicts had persisted for decades.
Can you give us a short history of the conflicts in Cyprus and why you chose to take on the challenge of the Winds of Change?
SP: First off, please do not feel ignorant regarding the situation in Cyprus. Many people around the world are unaware of the frozen conflict that has been going on for decades. Cyprus is a very small country that is very diverse, culturally. There has been a long-standing feud between the two major cultures in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. After Cyprus gained independence from the British, violent conflicts between the communities led to a war in 1974, ultimately leading to the island becoming de facto divided, forcing Greek Cypriots to live in the south and Turkish Cypriots to live in the north.
My father was living in the northern part of the island, but in 1974, he was forced to leave his home and relocate to the south which was where I grew up. Even though the war was long over when I was growing up, there were still tensions between the divided parts of the island. A UN buffer zone still divides the two parts of the island today. It was not until 2003 that the first checkpoints opened along the buffer zone, allowing people to move across the buffer zone. Despite being able to now “freely” move across the island, there is still a lack of trust and interaction between the communities.
As I grew older, I started to recognize how sad that it was that most people my age and younger had no idea about the other community. In fact, many people had never met someone from the north and vice versa.
Around 2006, I discovered a summer program in the United States offered by the Fulbright Organization for both Greek and Turkish Cypriot teenagers. One of the camps offered a fun, outdoorsy experience, while the other focused a more classroom approach to peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Frankly, the prospect of traveling to the United States for a three-week camping trip excited me more than the significance of the bi-communal concept. Unfortunately, we couldn’t select which camp to attend, and I didn’t get the chance to experience the fun outdoor camp.
I had no idea how that this three-week camp would transform my perspective. I returned as a different person after hearing both sides to our island’s narrative for the first time. I felt deeply embarrassed because we had grown up completely ignorant of their side of the story. I realized that although our families were forced to leave their homes and relocate to the south, the northerners had also suffered tremendous losses. Both sides had experienced so many similar hardships.
TCO: When did you have the epiphany to start pursuing something like the Winds of Change?
SP: After high school, I started studying medicine in Austria and had to be really focused on my academics. During my medical residency there, I couldn’t help but notice that Cyprus was still facing the same challenges it had years before, with no signs of improvement. I remember telling my brother that instead of just complaining, we needed to take action.
I thought back to my experience at the Fulbright camp and realized the importance of creating a cross-community initiative in Cyprus.
Additionally, I also recalled a particularly vivid memory that has remained etched in my mind: witnessing the unity displayed at the Korean Olympic Games during the Opening Ceremony, where athletes from North and South Korea marched together under a single flag. It struck me profoundly, prompting the question: If they can achieve such unity, why can’t we? This moment has consistently served as a powerful catalyst for me.
TCO: What motivated you to choose sports, and sailing specifically, to organize a bi-communal challenge between North and South Cyprus?
SP: I was born in Greece to a Cypriot dad and an Austrian mom, and I grew up in Cyprus. Coming from a very active family, I was immersed in sports from a young age. I learned to swim early and quickly moved into sailing. By the time I was about 8, I was competing in Opti’s. Sailing came naturally to me, as I grew up by the sea, in a family passionate about watersports.
As I grew older, I shifted my focus towards skiing. The transition was fairly easy since my mom came from a large ski resort town in Austria. She helped me and my brother establish a strong connection with the skiing federation, which actively supported our training. Thanks to the support and training from the Austrian federation, we advanced quickly in the international circuit. Soon we were off racing all around Europe – doing quite well!
TCO: Didn’t you represent Cyprus in the Olympic Games?
SP: Yes, despite some setbacks and injuries, I managed to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, alongside my brother. Coming from a small country, we both faced significant challenges, and encountered the toxic sides of competitive sport. In fact, I did not race for about 1 ½ years prior to the Games. However, after I graduated high school in 2009, I moved to Austria full time to begin a rigorous training program with the goal of qualifying for the 2010 Olympics. My brother and I traveled to every race venue trying to gain as many points on the circuit as possible in order to secure Cyprus a spot at the Olympic Games in Vancouver. During this training period, I sustained an injury, only a few weeks prior to the Games. After surgery, I continued to compete even with a cast on my hand, determined to achieve our goal no matter what!
Looking back now, I am glad for these challenges, because it has made me the strong and resilient person that I am now!
"Sport is such a great opportunity to connect over a common passion and purpose, and sailing around the island of Cyprus with a team comprised of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots felt like the perfect endeavor"
TCO: So back to sports and the Winds of Change……
SP: My experience sailing and skiing competitively in the Olympics made me recognize the potential of sports and the Olympic Movement to bring people together. Sport is such a great opportunity to connect over a common passion and purpose, and sailing around the island of Cyprus with a team comprised of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots felt like the perfect endeavor—a remarkable opportunity to not only challenge ourselves but also to create a bi-communal project.
TCO: So what provided the catalyst to actually start the project?
SP: Well in 2018, I applied for a position with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They were looking for an Olympian to volunteer for a project at the Olympic Games in Korea. The initiative aimed to create an actual space in the Olympic Village promoting the ways in which both the IOC and the IOC Athletes Commission support athletes. This showcase included everything from educational programs to funding opportunities to mental health advocacy, and much more. Witnessing the aspirations of the IOC was truly inspiring, and I felt immensely privileged to have been chosen. This opportunity helped pave the way for my involvement in the Olympic Movement. It also reignited my dream of organizing a bi-communal challenge.
The Beginning of The Wings of Change
TCO: So, you still have this dream, but when did the planning actually start for the Winds of Change?
SP: The concept of the Winds of Change had been in my mind since medical school. Starting a project like this required support, which posed my first challenge. I knew it would be extremely difficult to gain any support for the Winds of Change at the national level due to political sensitivities.
Finding a non-governmental organization (NGO) to back the idea became my initial goal. Fortunately, I discovered the IOC Leadership Program. This program selects 25 young people from around the world to focus on sports and social development, helping them address community issues. I applied with the Winds of Change in mind, and to my surprise, the IOC was thrilled with the idea!
This is a four-year program that progresses through various stages annually, featuring monthly expert sessions to assist with planning and development. The final year is dedicated to scaling the project into a sustainable finished product.
The Winds of Change is not merely about sailing around the island in restricted areas; it’s about challenging, empowering and inspiring young people. Preparing each of them for something that none of them had ever even thought about doing, helping them step out of their comfort zones, and empowering them to become role models, paving the way for others to follow. I wanted to let them know that they can make a change and play a part in building a better future for our island. It often feels like we are not raised to become changemakers. We are constantly reminded of our boundaries. The Winds of Change is a way to remind young people that everything is possible.
"The Winds of Change is not merely about sailing around the island in restricted areas; it’s about challenging, empowering and inspiring young people."
TCO: Then what?
SP: The entire project and journey were meticulously planned over a period of almost 2 years. The key was to secure support from the sailing communities on both sides without involving any governmental sport bodies which would complicate matters. We kept the project simple, and community based. We were always clear about our intentions. Given the complex political landscape, it was crucial to demonstrate navigating through such challenges positively. Ensuring the safety of our team was non-negotiable.
Once our plan was solidified, we engaged with key stakeholders across the island. This included meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, notifying both Coast Guards of our intentions and planned sea dates. We also liaised with sailing clubs, the sailing federation, and the Olympic Committee to keep them informed about project developments. With the assistance of the Turkish Cypriot members of our support team, we established communication with leadership in the north.
We then focused on building relationships with diplomatic bodies that confirmed that our circumnavigation plan was legally sound according to local, international, and maritime law. By the time we set sail, we had established a robust support network, including a team on land ready to assist us in navigating any potential challenges.
Anticipating the potential need to transition from territorial waters to international waters and considering the possibility of encountering challenges along the way, we equipped the boat with a satellite phone. This additional measure bolstered our safety and ensured thorough preparation, leaving no aspect overlooked.
TCO: How did you choose the 10 finalists?
SP: I wanted to put together a team with equal representation from both the northern and southern regions of Cyprus, as well as equal gender balance. My biggest push to get applications was through social media. I did make some announcements through the news, but many of the networks did not want to be involved because of the political sensitivity.
I was fortunate to have the guidance of a coach I met as a teenager, the American Michael Donahue, founder of Bold Leaders. Michael also led one of the Fulbright camps and had conducted workshops in my school. His impact on me was profound, so I decided to reconnect with him and involve him in the project. It was a bit awkward to call him up after so many years and say, “Hello, do you remember me”?!?!
Anyway, with Michael’s help, we came up with a series of workshops that would guide the participants through a strong team building process. We invited 12 applicants to come together in a remote area of Cyprus for a 4-day intense workshop series featuring various aspects of teambuilding and outdoor activities. The goal was to better understand them and assess who has what it takes to go on this journey, while also fostering their development into a cohesive team. This was the first phase of the program.
The second phase was training them on how to sail – most of them had little to no sailing experience. Starting with basic boat handling on Lasers and progressing to catamarans, our aim wasn’t to create champions but to ensure they achieved a proficient level of competence and safety for this journey. Christopher, my brother and fellow Olympian, provided invaluable coaching throughout the sailing training. We were also fortunate to receive guidance from Captain Nigel Davies, a trusted friend, and support from the International Sailing Schools Association (ISSA), as well as the local sailing communities at Begafigo Sailing Club and Karpaz Gate Marina, who graciously provided their facilities for our training sessions.
The third phase was to do the actual voyage around the island. The fourth phase, aimed at outreach, was designed to make sure that we were engaged all different generations of people throughout the island.
"It was such an amazing variety of people. We had a winter sports athlete, two kite surfers, one competitive and one amateur, then we had people with no connection to sports at all."
TCO: What was the age range of the participants?
SP: The group ranged from 18 to 35 years old. It was such an amazing variety of people. We had a youth windsurfing athlete and two kite surfers (one competitive and one amateur). Then we had people with no connection to sports at all. We had educators and politically driven people and even a pharmacy student.
We originally started with 12 people, but in the end, we had 5 people from the north and 5 from the south. The final crew was made up of 6 girls and 4 boys.
TCO: How did you locate a boat and owner that would allow you to complete this journey, especially since the boat would be sailing into restricted areas and subject to possible seizure?
SP: Well, that was a challenge on many levels. Because of the different levels of political complexity, and flags being a major issue, we needed to find a boat that was registered under a foreign flag. The next challenge was finding a boat owner that would trust us enough to use their boat for an expedition like this, knowing there was a certain risk involved. I reached out to several different foundations, but nothing seemed to work out due to scheduling, location, etc.
Finally, we found two British boat owners willing to let us use their boats, provided they were on board during the voyage, which was fine with me. Everything seemed to be falling into place, and excitement was building, until I received a call from one of the owners. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he wouldn’t be able to join us, meaning we couldn’t use his boat. Despite our attempts to convince him, including the offer of a high-profile skipper, he regretfully declined. This left us with less than a month before the voyage and only one boat available.
The Voyage
TCO: What were the logistics for the voyage that were set in place? How long did the voyage take? How many stops?
SP: Initially, with two boats, we planned a non-stop voyage. However, with just one boat remaining, we revised the route to include a stop for a crew change, ensuring all team members could participate without leaving anyone behind. We began with a crew of four on the southern coast. After 24 hours, we switched to a crew of six for the longer leg along the northern part of the island, where we did not make any stops. Upon reaching the southern region, a RIB brought the other four team members to join us, and we completed the final leg together. We arrived at port in just under 69 hours, quicker than expected.
Upon reaching the southern region, a RIB brought the other four team members to join us, and we completed the final leg together. We arrived at port in just under 69 hours, quicker than expected.
We were very fortunate to have state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment on board. This included the latest lifejackets from Spinlock, qualified skippers, and extensive safety training for everyone on board. Additionally, as a doctor, I ensured we had an exceptional medical and surgical kit provided by MSOS (Medical Support Offshore). We were prepared for anything and everything.
TCO: How did it feel when you returned to the harbor after accomplishing your goal of sailing around Cyprus with crew from both the north and the south?
SP: It was an amazing feeling! We were greeted by a tugboat spraying water from its cannons and boats met us at the entrance of the harbor with family members of the crew smiling and cheering loudly! Unfortunately, there were several more boats that were scheduled to come out and greet us, but because of our early arrival, they were unable to make it out in time. There were more people and families waiting at the dock. It was an incredible feeling!
Before the sendoff, we faced a challenging decision on how to announce the start of our journey due to the political sensitivity involved. Balancing the need for publicity with concerns about backlash from those with strong political opinions was crucial. Ultimately, I chose to issue a press release shortly before our arrival, ensuring some media presence without attracting undue attention. It didn’t surprise me that certain networks were cautious about giving the project extensive coverage. Nevertheless, achieving our goal alongside such a remarkable group of young people, against initial skepticism, was an incredible achievement, that no one thought we were going to be able to pull off.
Also, just as a side note, even with the delays in our original sendoff and our early completion of the voyage, the Winds of Change challenge was coincidentally completed on International Peace Day. This timing, which was probably the only thing we did not plan turned out to be perfect.
Success!!
TCO: After completing the Winds of Change challenge in September 2023, what changes have you observed, if any, not only within Cyprus but also among the young adults who experienced the voyage and preparation firsthand?
SP: We are thrilled with how everything has come together. The documentary will premiere at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, providing the perfect platform for its release. The Winds of Change has already garnered significant attention both nationally and internationally since we recently unveiled the official trailer. Additionally, we were honored to receive a special award from the National Youth Board, presented in the presence of the President of the Republic—an unforgettable experience! We have also been invited to speak about the project at events nationally and internationally. One particularly meaningful occasion was being invited to an event hosted by the United Nations where we had the opportunity to speak with the two community leaders of Cyprus, affirming their awareness of our project and its objectives.
Our participants continue to spread our message as Ambassadors of the Winds of Change. They regularly receive invitations to speaking engagements, where they share their experiences and serve as a source of inspiration for other young people. What’s truly remarkable for me is witnessing individuals from completely different backgrounds unite with a common purpose. While each team member was motivated by unique factors, it’s inspiring to see them work together, despite diverse cultural backgrounds, and travel the world to share their experiences. They aspire not only to bring peace to Cyprus but also to other parts of the world—a vision that is truly awe-inspiring. This is truly what I wanted!
TCO: With all your success with the Winds of Change, is there a new challenge coming on the horizon?
SP: The next step is to reach as many young people as possible with our documentary film. We aim to reach 100,000 young people within the next year. What excites me most is the overwhelming interest I’ve received. People are texting me and reaching out on social media, eager to apply for the next year and asking about the next challenge. The enthusiasm is incredible, and I believe this can only grow bigger and better!
All I can say, is this is far from over! I envision this idea continuing to evolve and grow into something larger, making a more significant impact with each step forward. I would like to start including some of the leading institutions in Cyprus to support the challenge, in hopes that they would attract a broader following. Maybe we will grow the voyage into a flotilla of boats? Maybe we will take a complete other approach? The ideas are endless, but I will continue to incorporate athletic elements, as I believe sport can and does bring people with diverse backgrounds together.
Sophia, thank you for taking the time to share the history of Cyprus and your adventures with the Winds of Change! We cannot wait to see the release at the Paris Games in August and to see what is next up for your next challenge.
-Ty Christopher Olsen, June 16, 2024
