Spyridon Louis Statue

Spyridon Louis Statue plaque

Transcription

Spyridon “Spyros” Louis
12 January 1873 – 26 March 1940

Spyridon Louis was modern Greece’s first Olympic gold medalist at / the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Spyridon Louis and local athlete Edwin Flack competed against each / other in the men’s marathon at the summer Olympics, with Louis / recording a winning time of 2:58:50.
Despite the acclaim, Louis never raced again, instead returning to / his village of Amarousi, Greece, where he worked as a shepherd / and seller of mineral water.
Australia and Greece are the only countries to have participated / in every modern Olympics since 1896.
This statue, by sculptor Michael Meszaros, was erected in / recognition of the friendship between Louis and Flack and the / proud Olympic heritage that Australia and Greece share.
The statue was made possible through the contributions of the / State Government of Victoria and Australian Hellenic Organisation / in support of the Olympic spirit and ideal.

Spyridon Louis Statue plaque