One of the greatest moments in sports history took place during the 50th Boston Marathon on April 20, 1946.
Greek runner Stylianos Kyriakides came from his destitute and civil war-ravaged home country to run for his homeland and raise funds and awareness about the plight of the Greek people.
Kyriakides’ story is beautifully told in the book “Running With Pheidippides: Stylianos Kyriakides, the Miracle Marathoner” by Nick Tsiotos and Andy Dabilis.
After winning international acclaim with his victory in Boston, Kyriakides sed his notoriety to raise badly needed funds and supplies which he brought home to a hero’s welcome.
He shouted “For Greece” as he crossed the finish line. A sculpture of Kyriakides now sits in Boston at the marathon’s one-mile mark.
NBC Sports created a special documentary about the life of Kyriakides that aired during the 2004 Athens Olympics.
