First Olympic Marathon Trophy Goes On Display

Spyros Lewis’ crowning achievement is being used to bolster morale.

Greece has had a rough couple of years. Embroiled in the recent financial crisis, the Southern European nation is in need of a little pick up.

And so the prime minister has lined up some inspiration: the Olympic trophy from the first marathon in 1896.

The trophy is called the Beal’s Silver Cup and has never been displayed in Greece.

Last April, it was sold by the grandson of the victor, Spyros Louis. The cup set a new record for the sale of an Olympic artifact.

The cup was bought by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation–based out of Athens–for a staggering $814,000.

“In these tough times, all Greeks must follow the bravery, resilience and fighting spirit that made Spyros Louis win,” said Foundation president, Andreas Dracopoulos.

“We must work hard, this time not to win a cup but to stand, proud, on our feet again.”

The cup will be put on display at Athens’ Acropolis Museum. At some point, it will go on display at a new, yet-to-be-built cultural center.

For More: Reuters