Spyridon Louis is described in the public record as Greek amateur athlete (1873–1940).
Spyridon Louis (Greek: Σπυρίδων Λούης [spiˈriðon ˈluis], sometimes transliterated Spiridon Loues; 12 January 1873 – 26 March 1940), commonly known as Spyros Louis (Σπύρος Λούης), 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. A former soldier, Louis was encouraged to try out for the Olympics by his former commanding officer. After progressing through qualifying, he went on to win the inaugural Olympic marathon after placing first among seventeen competitors. Louis later became a police officer and a farmer. Outside of his athletics career, Louis was arrested for forgery, of which he was acquitted after spending a year in jail. == Early life == Spyridon Louis was born in the town of Marousi, north of Athens, into a poor family.
Spyridon Louis is recorded among the figures by whom historic sport is remembered, and the surviving account of that career is the basis on which the reputation rests.
The codified rules of most modern sports were written between 1850 and 1900, so the first great champions were competing while the games themselves were still being defined.
