What I can see

To the right of the entrance of the Panathenaic Stadium, is the three-metre marble statue of Georgios Averof, a work of Georgios Vroutos. He is depicted with his right leg in a slight projection and the right hand is slightly raised with an open palm, perhaps indicating an offering mood. With his left hand, he holds a cloak, a symbol of antiquity. Behind his feet, there is a member of an ancient column. There is also a bullet mark on his left leg and the fingers of his right hand are amputated. The base is marble and consists of marble blocks, placed on a circular tiered pedestal. On the left side of the base, there is the name of the sculptor and an inscription of gratitude to the benefactor Georgios Averof on its front.

What I can't see

Georgios Averof was an Greek businessman and benefactor in Egypt, known for his assistance to local community and philanthropy in Greece and the Greek community of Alexandria, Egypt. The placement of the sculpture – initially in front of the Panathenaic stadium and later to the right of its entrance – is not accidental. Averof had donated a mythical amount (1,000,000 drachmas) for the time, for the stadium’s remarbling. The Olympic Committee, therefore, decided to honour him. Averof’s mausoleum is located in the First Cemetery of Athens.

Bibliography