Dinos Lefkaritis was born on March 30, 1995, in Larnaca, Cyprus.[4] He began skiing at the age of 5 on the Troodoos Mountains, a large mountain range on Mount Olympus–the highest point in Cyprus.[5][6] He was named Junior Ski Athlete of the Year by the Cyprus Skiing Federation in 2011, 2013, and 2014.[7]
He is currently attending Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where he is double majoring in engineering and economics.[10] While at university, he participates on their ski team and is counted among the college's 12 Olympians.[11] He is the college's only male Alpine skier to compete in the Olympics.[1] Lefkaritis withdrew temporarily from the college during the second semester of his third year to train for the Olympics. He trained with the Cyprus Skiing Federation on mountain ranges in Europe and South America.[12]
On January 22, 2018, Lefkaritis was officially ranked as the best alpine skier by the Cyprus Skiing Federation out of his ski club, Nicosia Ski Club.[15][16] He was given the Olympic Solidarity Athlete Scholarship to assist him in preparing for the games.[7][17] Lefkaritis was assigned the head coach of the national team–Milan Matic–to prepare him for his first event.[3] His head-of-mission (manager) is also named Dinos Lefkaritis but the two bare no relation.[18] He reported to the Olympic Record that his alpine skiing inspiration was Austrian skier, Hermann Maier.[19]
On February 9, 2018, he carried his country's flag during the Olympic opening ceremony.[20] According to the official Olympic schedule, Lefkaritis was to ski in the men's giant slalom on February 18 and men's slalom on February 21, 2018.[21] On Sunday, February 18, 10:15 AM, he skied in the Intermediate 1 section of men's giant slalom. He recorded a 19.06 min time[22] in the section with a difference of +2.36; the time disqualified him from placing into the Intermediate 2 section of the competition. He needed an extra 2.85 seconds to qualify for the next round.[23]
Due to inclement weather, the first and second runs of men's slalom were pushed to February 22 and relocated to the Yongpyong Alpine Centre.[24][25] At approximately 10:00 AM, Dinos skied in the first run of the men's slalom.[26][27] During the start of his run, a ski went out on Lefkaritis causing him to swerve into another line and fall near the top of the course. After negotiating eight gates, he ascended the course to restart his run. However, half way up the course he stopped, yelled, and "[struck] his helmet with a hand in frustration".[28] His run was one of 54 to be recorded as a "Did Not Finish (DNF)" as he did not restart and complete the course.[9][29]
Lefkaritis carried the flag of Cyprus during the closing ceremonies of the Olympics on February 25, 2018.[3] According to Balla.com.cy, Lefkaritis posted the following on Facebook on February 24: "The Olympics are a hell of an experience. They push you to face yourself in new ways. I learned a lot, I am really inspired and I am ready to work harder for more."[30]
