Spyridon Louis

Spyridon Louis, commonly known as Spyros Louis, was a Greek water carrier who won the first modern-day Olympic marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics, and he was celebrated afterwards as a national hero. A former soldier, he was encouraged to try out for the Games by his former commanding officer. After progressing through qualifying he won the inaugural marathon, placing first among seventeen competitors. He later became a police officer and a farmer. Outside his athletics career he was arrested for forgery, and he was acquitted after spending a year in jail. He lived from 1873 until 1940.