Did you know that the man honored here became a national hero overnight? We are standing at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens Spyros Louis. It is commonly known as OAKA. This impressive sports complex blends rich history and modern facilities.
OAKA’s story began before the Olympics. It was originally built for the 1982 European Championships in Athletics. But its global recognition came with the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The complex was renovated to host the games. It was named after Spyros Louis. He was the first modern Olympic marathon winner in 1896. The center symbolizes Greece’s long-standing Olympic tradition.
Let’s dive deeper into the life of Spyridon Louis. He was born on January 12, 1873. His birthplace was Marousi near Athens. Louis came from humble beginnings. His father sold mineral water. At that time Athens lacked a central water supply. Spyridon assisted his father in transporting it. He was also a former soldier. His former commanding officer encouraged him to try out for the Olympics.
One of the races would be the marathon. The marathon was suggested by Michel Bréal. He drew inspiration from Pheidippides. Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens. He announced the Athenian victory in the Battle of Marathon. Then he died.
The Greeks were excited about this new event. They organized marathon qualifiers. These races were started by Colonel Papadiamantopoulos. He had previously commanded Louis in the military. The first qualifying race was held on March 22. Charilaos Vasilakos won it. His time was 3 hours and 18 minutes. Louis participated in the second race two weeks later. He placed fifth. Papadiamantopoulos knew Louis’s running talent. He convinced him to try out.
The Olympic marathon took place on April 10. The Greek public had been enthusiastic. But no track and field event had been won by a Greek competitor. The victory in the discus throw by the American Robert Garrett was painful. The public wanted the marathon to be won by a countryman.
In Marathon Colonel Papadiamantopoulos gave the starting signal. Seventeen athletes participated. Thirteen of them represented Greece. The early leader was the Frenchman Albin Lermusiaux. He had placed third in the 1500 meters. Louis is said to have stopped at a local inn in Pikermi. He drank a glass of wine. However, Louis’s grandson said this was incorrect. His grandfather’s girlfriend gave him half an orange. He then received a glass of cognac from his future father-in-law.
After 26 km Lermusiaux was exhausted. He abandoned the race. Edwin Flack took the lead. He was an Australian who had won the 800 and 1500 m races. Louis slowly closed in on Flack. The Australian collapsed. Louis took the lead.
During the race tension grew among the Greek spectators. But when news arrived that Louis had overtaken the lead cheers erupted. People cried Hellene Hellene. Louis entered the Panathenaic Stadium for the final part. He ran with Crown Prince Constantine and Prince George of Greece. He finished with a time of 2:58:50.
Louis’s victory sparked wild celebrations. The King rose from his seat. He warmly congratulated him. Some aides-de-camp kissed the victor. He was carried in triumph. Two more Greek runners finished in second and third place. Spyridon Belokas was later disqualified. He had covered part of the course by carriage. Third place was awarded to the Hungarian Gyula Kellner.
After his victory Louis received gifts. These ranged from jewelry to a lifelong free shave at a barber shop. He did take home the carriage he had asked of the king. After the Olympics Louis became a farmer and a police officer. In 1926 Louis was arrested. He was charged with falsifying military documents. After spending a year in jail he was acquitted.
His last public appearance was in 1936. He was a guest of honor at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He bore the standard of the Greek team. Adolf Hitler received him. Louis offered him an olive branch from Olympia. Louis recalled the moments after his victory. It was something unimaginable. Flowers rained down on him. Everybody was calling out my name.
Louis died several months before the Italian invasion of Greece. Various sports establishments are named after him. These include the Olympic Stadium of Athens. It hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics. The road outside the stadium is also named after him.
The expression to become Louis is used in Greece. It is a metaphor meaning to disappear by running fast.
The silver cup given to Louis at the 1896 Olympics was sold for a record amount. It was auctioned in London in 2012. The buyer was the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The cup is displayed at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
The Olympic Athletic Center of Athens Spyros Louis is more than a sports venue. It is a place where history and modernity meet.