Demetra Koutsopodiotis (Photo via United World Wrestling)

Another Kamloops resident will be headed to the Olympics in Paris this August.

Wrestling Official Demetra Koutsopodiotis has been chosen by the her governing body to be an official at the 2024 Summer Games.

“It’s a little overwhelming. I don’t think it’s sunk in. The closer Paris gets I’m sure the hype will definitely be rebuilding,” the 43-year0old Koutsopodiotis told NL Sports.

It’s a story of humble beginnings to the world stage.

“I was a wrestler at NorKam under coach Brian Dick [a 2009 inductee into the Kamloops Sports of Fame], I wrestled through University and he was the one who suggested I start refereeing because we were short referees in our zone,” she said.

Koutsopodiotis then realized she could take officiating the sport around the world.

“I went through our rankings in the province and then eventually became a national referee,” she said. “Once I learned I could eventually go International I was like oh, this sounds like pretty cool gig.”

Koutsopodiotis been under the radar somewhat considering she’s been doing this for 15 years.

“I often refer to myself as Kamloops’ best kept secret,” she said, with a laugh.

Koutsopodiotis becomes the latest from Kamloops to book a ticket to Paris this August.  Others include Kelly Olynyk in men’s basketball), Ethan Katzberg in hammer throw, and Greg Stewart in Paralympic shot put.