Cypriot influencer MEP apologizes for slur against Paralympic athletes

Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou has apologized for using offensive language to describe Paralympic athletes with mental disabilities.

“The first thing I want to say is that I should not have used this word to characterize anyone — any disability, disorder or illness,” the lawmaker said in a video posted on social media on Tuesday. “I want to publicly acknowledge my mistake and make a sincere apology to Paralympic athletes.”

In November, Panayiotou referred to Paralympic athletes with mental disabilities as πελλοί, or “loonies,” during a six-hour podcast with a Cypriot Paralympic swimmer. The remarks resurfaced months later, prompting a furious reaction from Cyprus’ Paralympic Committee on Sunday.

Panayiotou — widely known by his first name, Fidias — is a social media personality who became famous with stunts and pranks on YouTube. He was elected to the European Parliament in July 2024. The lawmaker is not attached to any political group in the Parliament, but founded a party called “Direct Democracy” last October.

As of January 2026 Fidias has 2.67 million subscribers on YouTube.

Nektaria Stamouli contributed to this report.