Giorgos Koletis

Silver Medal, April 8, 1896, George Koletis 100km. Athens 1896

According to the regulation, cyclists had to complete 300 laps on the cycle track, which was not such an easy task for everyone. The competition started at noon and the weather conditions were not the best as there was a strong wind. From the beginning, the difficulties were evident for most of the athletes who, little by little, over the course of the race, began to give up. At 50km, the Frenchman Leon Flameng, who even participated in the race with the French flag tied on his hip, was the first to pass. At one point, the Greek Giorgos Kolettis, the only one who was a source of danger for the French athlete, stopped temporarily due to a breakdown of the bike.

Flameng showed great sportsmanship, waited for him and the match started all over again. In the end, the first place went to France thanks to Flameng who completed the 300 laps first, although he fell to the ground towards the end, while in second place was Kolettis who, at the time of the winner’s finish, had completed 289 laps. The final ranking: Flameng (France) 3:08.19 Kolettis (Greece)