The Panthessalonikeios Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans (P.A.O.K.)

The Panthessalonikeios Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans (P.A.O.K.) was founded in 1926 in Thessaloniki and emerged as one of the most important athletic clubs in Greece. The club is the historical continuation of the athletic and cultural association Hermes of Constantinople, which was established by Greeks in the Pera district of Constantinople in 1875. Although founded by refugees who settled in Thessaloniki after the Asia Minor Catastrophe, P.A.O.K. represents not only the refugee population but the broader community of Thessaloniki. With active departments in many sports, such as football, basketball, volleyball, handball, and water polo, and participation in both men’s and women’s divisions, P.A.O.K. holds a distinguished place in the Greek sports scene. Its multifaceted history and continuous growth serve as a source of inspiration and pride for the community of Thessaloniki and all of Greece. The club's colors, black and white, symbolize the tragic experience of the refugees and the hope for the future, respectively. Its emblem is the Byzantine double-headed eagle, depicted with closed wings to symbolize mourning for the loss of the homeland. Pictured: Founding charter of the athletic and football association named “Panthessalonikeios Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans” (P.A.O.K.), 1926. ©Historical Archive of Macedonia.