Charilaos Vasilakos facts for kids
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | November 1875 Piraeus, Greece |
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| Died | 1 December 1964 (aged 89) Athens, Greece |
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| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Club | Panellinios G.S. | |||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | Marathon: 3:06:03 | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Charilaos Vasilakos (Greek: Χαρίλαος Βασιλάκος) was a famous Greek athlete. He was born in November 1875 and passed away on December 1, 1964. He made history as the first person ever to win a marathon race! He also earned a silver medal at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
Contents
Early Life and Athletics
Charilaos Vasilakos was born in Piraeus, a city in Greece. His father, Michael, was from the Mani area and worked in the army. Charilaos was the oldest of three children. When he was 14, his father passed away.
As a young man, he studied law at the University of Athens. He also worked at a court in Athens. Charilaos was a member of the Panellinios sports club. He was a very dedicated athlete who loved to run.
First Marathon Winner
On March 22, 1896, Greece held the first modern Panhellenic Games. The main goal of these games was to choose the best athletes for the first Modern Olympic Games. These Olympics were going to happen later that same year. All the athletes taking part were members of Greek sports clubs.
Charilaos Vasilakos was known as a very strong long-distance runner. He won the marathon race at the Panhellenic Games. His winning time was 3 hours and 18 minutes. This made him the first person in history to win a marathon race!
Olympic Silver Medal
Vasilakos was one of 17 athletes who started the Olympic marathon race. This historic race took place on April 10, 1896. He finished in second place, earning a silver medal. The winner was another Greek runner named Spiridon Louis. Vasilakos's time was 3 hours, 6 minutes, and 3 seconds. Only nine runners finished the race.
Both the Panhellenic and Olympic marathon races were about 40 kilometers long. Today, a marathon is a bit longer, at 42.195 kilometers.
Life After the Olympics
After the Olympic Games, Charilaos Vasilakos helped start and take part in racewalking events in Greece. In 1900, he won the first Greek 1000-meter walking race. He continued to compete in several races between 1900 and 1906.
Vasilakos used his law degree to become a customs director. He worked for the Greek Ministry of Finance. He was known for being very honest and having strong morals. In 1960, he received a special award called the Gold Cross of the Order of Phoenix. King Paul of Greece gave him this honor.
Today, annual marathon races in Olympia are held to remember Charilaos Vasilakos. He was married to his wife, Helen. He passed away in Athens in 1964.
Images for kids
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Vasilakos (in the middle) and other marathon runners training in 1896.
