There is though, a side to his life he does not often share publicly. One the Commonwealth and European champion is happy to talk about, but rarely displays due to the intense nature of his sport and desire to keep his passionate gymnastic support base socially satisfied. 

Georgiou pauses, when asked about what makes him happy away from sport, it is clear he is rarely asked questions which do not focus on his pursuit of podium places. 

“Honestly, I like to take out my dogs,” he says with a smile. “Working with my dogs, training my dogs, having fun together and also going hiking in the mountains, these are things I really love to do. 

Now relaxed, the 28-year-old continues; “The other thing I do to take my mind off gymnastics is to play with my guitar. I like to play Ed Sheeran-style, but also Cypriot and Greek music and a little bit of rock, maybe some jazz also.” 

These are precious moment of rest bite he needs to help cope with what he admits often feels like “a lot of pressure” to perform, when representing his nation internationally. 

It is through a “privilege” and something he often not only relishes, but thrives from. 

In 2016 Georgiou made headlines in his homeland by becoming the first gymnast to represent Cyprus at an Olympic Games in the men’s prestigious All Around competition. 

At 18, he was the youngest athlete to reach the final, but even more significant landmarks would follow, particularly at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games where he opened his campaign with All Around bronze. 

That success paved the path to further podium finishes later in the week. 

“After the Olympics I started to train much more seriously and when I was at the Commonwealth Games I though, now it’s time to shine, for myself and for my country,” he recalls. 

“It (Gold Coast 2018) is such a special memory because I remember I was competing there with the likes of (England’s) Max Whitlock and Nile Wilson, who raised the bar in gymnastics in my opinion and they gave me a real motivation to be on that level.” 

“When I won my first medal (bronze) on the All Around, it really boosted my confidence, as well as both my mental and my physical health for the years ahead, but it also took off the pressure for my other two finals (Floor and Parallel Bars).” 

In those events he would not only finish ahead of his two English idols, Whitlock and Wilson, but claim his maiden major international titles. 

For Georgiou the success was particularly meaning given the challenging childhood he had endured, with the gymnast saying he was “kind of on my own” and “didn’t have a lot of support” from his family during those formative years. 

“I know I can inspire people and (I feel) I need to show young humans that they can overcome hard times by trusting themselves, their coaches and their instincts,” he states. 

“You have to work for it, day after day, like I did, but if you take each of those small steps you can achieve big things in the years ahead.” 

Which is precisely what Georgiou continued to do himself, securing his nation’s first-ever European Championship Men’s Individual All Around medal, with bronze, in 2019. 

Hopes of repeating, or bettering, his successes from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at Birmingham 2022 were hit by a shoulder injury, which the gymnast was told would end his aspirations of competing in the UK. Then, he made a bold decision. 

“2022 was a very complicated year, I was not able to compete at the Commonwealth Games, but they (Cyprus team officials) had booked the flights so we decided to go,” he recalls. 

“I was just planning to support the team, but when I saw all the gymnasts doing gymnastics, I was feeling in my body that I want to do it. 

“My team-mates said ‘don’t push yourself too much’ but this triggered my spirit to do more. 

“There was no pressure as I knew my preparation wasn’t too good, so to make it on to the podium, with four medals, was like having a dessert (treat), because I didn’t believe it (was possible), but at the end of the day, I did it!” 

Pushing his body to the limit – and ultimately beyond – would have an impact later in the year though, with Georgiou forced to undergo shoulder surgery after hearing “three cracks” in his shoulder while performing on the Rings apparatus. 

He would still secure a maiden European title, on the Parallel Bars – an achievement hailed by then President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, as a “huge and historic success” which was an “honour” for their nation. 

Last year, after missing almost an entire season through injury rehabilitation, he warmed up for Paris 2024 by claiming his nation’s first-ever European All Around crown. 

The third Olympic Games of Georgiou’s career did not quite go according to plan though, with sixth in the Horizontal Bars discipline his highest ranked result, but he is now determined to return to his very best en-route to LA 2028, via Glasgow 2026. 

“I said to myself, ‘okay, after the Olympics I'm gonna relax a little bit now, for my body and for my mind’ so from the end of 2025 and into 2026 I need to be in my best shape,” he says. 

The gymnast, who will only contest the High Bar and Pommel Horse disciplines at the 2025 World Championships, continues; “I’m getting older now, but after getting some rest, I want to show the younger people from Cyprus what is possible. 

“I want to show the world that I can be on the top level, again.” 

By Nick Hope, Glasgow 2026 Content Creator