Alexi Pappas

She completed her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Oregon in 2013. Pappas’s athletic career reached new heights when she became a Greek citizen on January 8, 2016, enabling her to represent Greece on the international stage. The same year, she competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she made history by setting a new Greek national record in the 10,000 meters. Her performance, completing the race in 31:36.16, earned her a 17th place finish at the prestigious global event, significantly improving her own Greek national record set earlier that year at 32:27.80.

Beyond the track, Pappas has made significant contributions to the film industry as a director, writer, actress, and producer. Her filmography includes directorial and acting credits for ‘Tall as the Baobab Tree’ (2012), ‘Speed Goggles’ (2016), and the critically acclaimed ‘Tracktown’ (2017), which she co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in. In 2019, she starred in ‘Olympic Dreams,’ a landmark achievement as the first fictional film ever shot within an Olympic village. Her literary career ascended with the publication of her bestselling memoir, ‘Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas’ in 2021, which garnered widespread recognition.

Pappas is also a prominent advocate for athlete mental health, openly sharing her experiences with depression to foster greater awareness and support within the athletic community. In 2022, she further demonstrated her commitment to inspiring others by serving as a guide for para-athlete Lisa Thompson at the Boston Marathon. During this event, their combined effort led to Thompson securing a victory in the T13 Division. Alexi Pappas continues to be an impactful figure, leveraging her multifaceted career to influence and inspire across sports, arts, and advocacy.