What I can see

This is a 1.25-metre-high statue dedicated to Spyros Louis (1872-1940) and not a representation of Spyros Louis himself. It is a bronze sculpture placed on a stepped marble pedestal. It resembles a modern Kouros with strong archaic characteristics. 

What I can't see

The Municipality of Athens dedicated this sculpture in honour of Spyros Louis, the Greek marathon runner, who won the gold medal in 1896 at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, to become a national hero. He was a poor farmer from Maroussi, where the modern Olympic Stadium of Athens was built and named after him. He was also the athlete who, in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, refused to give a Nazi salute to Hitler. After his victory, he returned to his normal life and died in poverty. Recently, however, there have been press reports, citing historical sources, which question the legitimacy of Spyros Louis’ victory. 



 

Info

• Address: Eforionos St.

Bibliography