The Marathon winner's cup from the first modern Olympics leads Christie's Olympic auction

A Christie's employee holds the Breal´s Silver Cup, at the auction house's showroom in London Thursday, March 8, 2012. The cup was presented to Spyros Louis, winner of the first competitive marathon, run at the first modern Olympic Games, in Athens in 1896. The six inch high trophy leads the Vintage Posters & Olympic Icons auction which will be held at Christie's in London on April 18, and it is estimated to fetch between 120,000 and 160,000 pounds (euro 143.00 -191,00, US$190,000- 253,000). AP Photo/Brynjar Gauti.

By Stuart Condie, Associated Press

LONDON (AP).- A silver cup awarded to the Greek runner who won the first Olympic marathon in 1896 will be sold at a London auction three months before the Summer Games.

Spyros Louis was presented with the cup, a silver medal, an antique vase, an olive branch and a diploma by Greece's King George I for his Athens victory in the 25-mile race — slightly shorter than the modern marathon.

Auction house Christie's says the engraved 6-inch cup had been in Louis' family for 116 years but will be sold by his grandson April 18.

Louis' grandson, also called Spyros, said Thursday he would give proceeds estimated at $190,000 to $250,000 to his children.

"Our family has been very proud to have the honor of looking after this important historical sporting trophy for the last 116 years," Spyros Louis said. "And my grandfather's achievement of winning the first ever marathon at the first modern Olympic Games will remain part of my family's heritage forever.

"However, it is time to look to the future, not the past. I have two children and the most important thing for me is to ensure that they are looked after as well as possible. It is always going to be impossible to split a cup."

Louis' grandfather qualified for the marathon in the inaugural 14-nation Olympics by finishing fifth in a qualifier.

He took the lead within a couple of miles from the end after a competitor ahead of him collapsed and was cheered across the line by more than 80,000 spectators at the Panathinaiko Stadium. Louis was the only Greek athlete to win at the games and was hailed as a national hero.

Also for sale in an auction of 179 items are eight original Olympic torches dating from 1936 to 1996 and 26 original posters advertising Olympic Games between 1908 and 1964.


Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.