Cleaning and conservation works on the marble of the Panathenaic Stadium began this morning, on the initiative of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) and with the financial support of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., the shipping company affiliated with Mr. Evangelos Marinakis.

This is a particularly significant intervention, as it is the first time in 120 years, since the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, that systematic conservation and cleaning works are being carried out on the marble of this historic monument.

The works began at the curved section of the Panathenaic Stadium, known as the sphendone, and are expected to be completed by September 10, so that the Kallimarmaro will be fully prepared for the Lighting and Handover Ceremony of the Flame for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The works will then continue throughout the Panathenaic Stadium and are expected to be completed within 2026.

The President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos, said:

“We are particularly proud of the start of the marble cleaning works at the Panathenaic Stadium, under the supervision of architect and archaeologist Manolis Korres, and with the guidance of accredited conservators from the Ministry of Culture. The Kallimarmaro, a world monument and a symbol of the revival of the Olympic Games, will shine once again before the global sporting community! Our thanks go to our major sponsor, Evangelos Marinakis, who is supporting the revival of the Panathenaic Stadium, this iconic monument of the Olympic and global sporting movement.”

Hellenic Olympic Committee Member and Chef de Mission of the Greek Delegation to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, Petros Synadinos, who attended the works, said:

“We are currently witnessing a second revival of the iconic Panathenaic Stadium. Just as in 1896, when it was restored through sponsorship and under the supervision of the renowned architect Ernst Ziller, today, on the initiative of the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos, and with generous sponsorship from Mr. Evangelos Marinakis, a series of interventions are being carried out that will protect this iconic historic monument and restore its appearance to the form it had in 1896.

“These interventions include the cleaning of the marble, a new synthetic track surface so that the stadium can host international competitions, new high-definition LED lighting, and the upgrading and protection of its electromechanical equipment.

“The Hellenic Olympic Committee will proudly hand over this historic monument both to the younger generation of athletes and for other events and competitions. According to the information available to us, the marble has never undergone such cleaning. The marble had not been maintained since the stadium was constructed using the famous Pentelic marble, the same marble used for the Parthenon.”

Particular importance is being placed on the method used for the cleaning process. A natural method has been specially selected to protect the marble, without stressing, altering or causing any damage to its surface. The works are being carried out with the valuable advice of distinguished architect and academic Manolis Korres, Honorary Advisor to the Hellenic Olympic Committee on the history, culture and promotion of the unique heritage of the Panathenaic Stadium.

“The Hellenic Olympic Committee took this initiative and completed all the necessary procedures with the Ministry of Culture. It submitted thorough studies and is now proceeding with the cleaning works through specialized teams. It is a gentle intervention that does not cause any side effects. The method being used, namely clean water sprayed through special equipment at controlled pressure, ensures a good result that is immediately visible,” Mr. Korres said.

At the same time, works are already underway at the Panathenaic Stadium to replace the track surface, with the aim of restoring its ability to host major international athletics events, including Diamond League meetings.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee expresses its gratitude to Evangelos Marinakis for his financial support of this important initiative, which makes a substantial contribution to the protection and promotion of a unique monument of global sporting and cultural heritage.