Spyridon Louis was a Greek athlete who won the marathon at the first modern Olympics in 1896. During the race, Louis supposedly stopped for a glass of wine at a local inn before asking how the other runners were doing. Even though he was behind, he confidently stated he would overtake them all before the end of the race.
The Frenchman Albin Lermusiaux abandoned the race after 26 km due to exhaustion. Next was an Australian named Edwin Flack who collapsed because he wasn't used to long-distance running, which gave Louis the lead. He finished with a time of 2:58:50.
His victory sparked wild celebrations, and two more Greek runners finished second and third place. However, the third-place finisher, Spyridon Belokas, was later disqualified after he was discovered to have ridden a carriage for some parts of the race. The third-place winner was then replaced by Hungarian runner, Gyula Kellner.
Before becoming a gold medalist, Louis worked as a water carrier, helping his father transport mineral water in Athens during a time when there was no central water supply. After the Olympics, Louis decided he didn't want to be an athlete anymore and became a police officer and a farmer. In 1926, he was arrested for falsifying military documents and imprisoned for more than a year.
Louis made his last public appearance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, where he met Adolf Hitler and extended him an olive branch from Olympia as a symbol of peace. He then recalled his memory of winning gold back in 1896:
“That hour was something unimaginable and it still appears to me in my memory like a dream ... Twigs and flowers were raining down on me. Everybody was calling out my name and throwing their hats in the air.”
Spyridon Louis’s victory in the first modern Olympic games in 1896 is a tale of legend, not just for his athletic prowess but also for his unconventional training methods. Louis was from the village of Maroussi, located outside the city of Athens. His father owned a mineral water company, and since Athens lacked a central water supply at that time, there was a high water demand. This resulted in Spyridon frequently running back and forth between Maroussi and the city, carting water. This unconventional method of endurance training played a significant role in preparing him for the marathon.
Another intriguing aspect of Louis’s marathon run is the famous pit stop he made about ten kilometers before the end of the race. It was at this point that Spyridon stopped in the town of Piekrmi for what has been described as a glass of wine, although some accounts suggest it may have been Cognac. This unusual mid-race refreshment break has become a part of the legend surrounding Louis’s victory.
Despite his fame and national hero status following his Olympic victory, Louis remained humble. After winning the race, he was granted one wish by the king of Greece. Instead of asking for riches or high status, Louis simply requested a cart to make it easier to transport his water. This anecdote further illustrates Louis’s down-to-earth nature and dedication to his work.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0