**NICOSIA, CYPRUS** – European Parliament Member Fidias Panayiotou has issued a public apology following widespread condemnation for using a deeply offensive term to describe Paralympic athletes with intellectual disabilities. The controversial remarks, made during a podcast recording approximately two months ago, have ignited a firestorm of criticism from disability advocacy groups and mental health professionals, who accuse the MEP of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and demeaning a vulnerable segment of society.
The controversy centres on Panayiotou's use of the Greek word "pellous," which translates to fools or madmen, in reference to athletes competing in the S14 category, specifically those with intellectual impairments. The podcast, recorded on November 29th, remained undisclosed until recent public outcry forced the MEP's hand. In a video apology released three days after the controversy erupted, Panayiotou acknowledged the validity of the criticism, stating, "This time they were right to do so." He insisted that the choice of word was unintentional, a claim that has been met with considerable skepticism.
The Cyprus Psychologists Association swiftly denounced the MEP's language, issuing a statement on Wednesday that branded the remarks as stigmatising and an affront to human dignity. They further rejected Panayiotou's defence, arguing that respect is an intrinsic quality, not a matter of accidental utterance. The association emphasised that the offensive term had been publicly accessible for two months, directly contradicting the notion of an unintentional slip-up.
Further compounding the situation, the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations for the Disabled (KYSOS), acting with the explicit authorisation of Paralympic athlete Marios Philippou, released its own statement. KYSOS unequivocally rejected Panayiotou's apology video, deeming it insufficient and dismissive of the profound harm caused. Their statement highlighted the absurdity of attributing societal outrage to political motives when fundamental human rights are at stake, labelling such an interpretation as an "insult" and a "serious deficit in democracy."
Panayiotou, representing the burgeoning "Direct Democracy" political movement which has reportedly seen its poll numbers surge to over 10%, suggested that the timing of the backlash was politically motivated, designed to undermine his party's growing influence. This assertion has been met with derision by KYSOS, who contend that such a deflection is an insult to the collective anger of a society defending its most vulnerable citizens.
In an attempt to mitigate the damage, Panayiotou pledged to extend invitations to individuals with disabilities to visit the European Parliament and has solicited suggestions for initiatives to support this community. However, the Cyprus Psychologists Association was unsparing in their assessment, asserting that Panayiotou had "shamed the office he holds and the people who elected him to it." They further characterised his language as indicative of a "deficit in personal values and a shallow personality." The stark rejection of his apology by key disability organisations underscores the depth of the offence and the significant reputational damage incurred by the MEP.