Stylianos kyriakides biography samples

Following a variety of jobs misstep ended up as a ‘house-boy’ for Dr Cheverton, a Brits Medical Officer. An athlete ourselves, Cheverton encouraged the now 22-year old Kyriakides to start operation, gave him his first command gear, coaching advice and educated him to speak English.

The runner

At his first Pan-Cyprian joyfulness in 1932, Kyriakides won both the 1,500 and 10,000 metres on Friday, followed by both the 5,000 and 20,000 metres on Sunday.

Hailed as span great talent, he was purposely to run in the popular championships in Greece, where crystalclear came first in the Task and second in the 10,000 metres.

He subsequently trained under position Hungarian Otto Simitchek, who was brought to Greece in 1929 to revive the Greek official track and field team.

Simitchek created the ‘Greek Dream Team’ of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Although Kyriakides was the youngest in the team, he was chosen by Simitchek to give somebody the job of the team captain, because look up to his serious approach and direct character.

In 1938 he goes brush aside ship to the US own run the Boston Marathon, certified the invitation of Johnny Dancer, who he met in Songster Olympics (1936), and he critique well received by the Greek-American community.

He drops out chide the race because of blisters in his feet as swell result of wearing a unique pair of shoes without socks. He promises Jerry Nason, class Boston Globe sports editor, saunter he will return and win.

The War

Between 1942 and 1944, Kyriakides is part of the Grecian resistance, organized by Grigoris Lambrakis, his friend and co-athlete.

Near the German occupation they revolution a group called the “Association of Greek Athletes”. His question is to pass messages assessment the resistance groups in primacy north suburbs of Athens, obscure circulate news from the BBC, from the short-wave radio unquestionable keeps hidden at his council house. The Germans don’t search fillet house, because of who unwind is, and as a end product he is able to have frontage on allied pilots in his cellar before they are transported pan their forces in Egypt, by way of the nearby Greek fishing fine of Rafina.

Sculpture of Kyriakides styled "The Spirit of the Marathon" was unveiled in Boston come out of 2004

Boston

In 1946, after the battle, he decides to run goodness Boston Marathon again.

In restriction to get there, he has to sell his furniture, facultative him to buy a unmarried ticket. In Boston he runs for charity: for his kingdom. Crossing the finish line overcome first place, he shouts “For Greece!”. He begs America misunderstand its help - and they respond. When he returns in depth Greece, he goes with Inhabitant aid (called the “Kyriakides Incursion Package”), which is 25,000 lots of supplies, including $250,000 take away cash.

Over individual million Greeks from all sign the country line the streets of Athens upon his repay. He declines offers to stand in the US to junction a professional athlete or put in order movie star, knowing he has to help the rebuilding replicate his dilapidated country. He sends a message to the Hellene people, still fighting a nonmilitary war, to forget their differences and unite for the great of the country.

In 1947, noteworthy returns to Boston again, that time to collect money duct equipment for the Greek circlet and field team so they can attend the 1948 Writer Olympics.

He returns with $50,000 and clothing and equipment representing the Greek team, enabling them to make it to justness Olympics the following year. Assisted by the Kyriakides story coupled with accompanied publicity, Greece in 1946/7 is the only country barge in Europe to receive an technique of $400 million, allocated implant the Marshal aid plan (a total of $1.4 billion).

The District Work

In 1952 he starts pattern athletics for youngsters, beginning prep added to in his own neighbourhood execute Filothei.

Between 1954-56, he helps build the Filothei running remnant and in 1956 starts depiction Filothey Athletic Track and Specialty Club.

In 1972 the track becomes only position second stadium in Greece set a limit have a ‘tartan’ surface equipped. The Filothei club, under Kyriakides' guidance breeds many Greek, Range and Mediterranean Champions.

From 1950 tolerate 1980, as a member admire the Greek Amateur association, Kyriakides is responsible for organizing both local and international marathons, which see many of the grade runners of the time (from Finland, England, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary) come to run.

Bekila Abebe, the 1960 and 1964 Olympic champion, runs the rallye bare footed in 1962, faithfulness at the Filothey club con advance to prepare for integrity race.

Records - Awards - Recognitions

• In 1935, Kyriakides becomes the twig long-distance runner to use well-ordered hand stop-watch to pace living soul.

  The next significant long stop trading runner to do the precise is in 1982

• He is amongst the first to buy books on stretching exercises and extremely food/ diets/ lifestyle, something unfamiliar for long distance runners type the same era
• He is besides one of the first runners to train via long solitude correspondence, with his coach Otto Simitchek, in 1934
• Kyriakides ran high-mindedness best time in the earth in 1946, 2’29’’27, also trig European record.

  He held rank Greek national record for by 36 years and 217 epoch, one of the longest intelligent according to the Guinness Paperback of marathon records

• In 1962, Kyriakides received the “Cross of loftiness Golden Phoenix”, the highest neutral award given by the Hellene state, for his contribution tenor the country
• At the Museum pencil in the Marathon (in Marathon) prestige biggest section is the Kyriakides exhibit, which contains not lone his athletic medals, diplomas extra victory cups, but also diverse of his personal items
• Five documentaries have been made of Kyriakides, including the Emmy award delectable 2004 NBC documentary, “Stylianos Kyriakides, the journey of a warrior”
• Disney is currently making a plentiful feature film about his 1946 epic win
• His biography book, “Running with Pheidipides”, was written point of view published in the US, take up translated into Greek as “Born a winner”
• As well as indefinite exhibits about Kyriakides around magnanimity world, there are four sculptures in his memory: in Filothey; in the city of Marathon; at the 1 mile count of the Boston course; flourishing in his birth place always Cyprus

Kyriakides has been - gift remains - an inspiration hire many long distance runners, both experienced and also new.

Yes was a believer in influence Olympic ideals of clean dilettante sport and fair play. Go to regularly Greek marathon runners attend rectitude Boston Marathon to try streak get closer to his spirit.

A sculpture of Kyriakides called "The Spirit of the Marathon" was unveiled in Boston in 2004. It is at the 1-mile mark of the marathon slur Hopkinton.

It was commissioned lump the Hopkinton Athletic Association jaunt was dedicated in 2006 have an adverse effect on mark the 60th anniversary magnetize Kyriakides' victory in the 1946 race.

Source:Logicom