Spyros Louis was a Greek water carrier who won the first modern-day Olympic marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics. Following his victory, he was celebrated as a national hero.[1]
Σπυρίδων Λούης [Spyridon Louis] was born on January 12, 1873 in Amarousi (now Marousi), Greece.[2][1] He was the 5th child of Athanasios Louis and Kalomira.[3] (Note that this date is as-recorded on his tombstone. Greece converted to Gregorian calendar in 1923. If this date is Gregorian calendar, then it corresponds to 31 Dec 1872 in the Julian calendar.)
Spyridon attended the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He competed in the marathon. He was not favored to win this event, for he had only placed 5th in the Greek trials. He, however, came away with the gold medal in the marathon with a time of 2:58:50, about 7 minutes faster than the next person. He was Greece's only 1st place finish in a track and field event at the 1896 Olympics.[4] [5]
After the Olympics, Spyridon did not race again and stayed out of the spotlight. He was, however, a guest of honor at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. [4] Here Spyridon described the moment after winning the marathon:
Spyridon married Eleni (last name unknown) on April 19, 1897. Their first child, Panagiotis was born in 1898. They went on to have 2 more boys, Georgios and Nikolaos.[3]
Spyros Louis died on 26 March 1940. He was buried at Amarousion Cemetery, Athens, Greece.[3][2]
Spyridon and Eleni had a daughter in law Eutychia Louis, living in 1989 in the Greek village of Amaroussion. At that time, she held the silver cup that Spyridon received as the marathon race winner.[3]
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