The exhibition entitled ‘Olympism. A modern invention, an ancient heritage’ which opens its gates on April 24, at the Museum of Lourvos, in view of the hosting, this summer, of the Olympic Games in Paris.

The emblematic cup of Spyros Louis and other precious objects, including ancient Greek objects as well as posters, stamps and souvenirs, are included in the exhibition, which attempts to present the political context of the first modern Olympic Games and the contribution to the revival of the Olympic ideal of specific people as well as of different fields such as history, archaeology, literature and art.

The silver cup of Spyros Louis, winner of the Marathon at the first Athens Olympics designed by Michel Braille,

Michel Braille:The spiritual father of the modern Marathon

The silver cup awarded in 1896 to the winner of the first modern Marathon, the legendary Spyros Louis, was designed by the French historian, linguist and educator Michel Braille and was created in Paris by an anonymous silversmith, according to his instructions.

Having studied the ancient sources in depth, Bréal revived the marathon, which is why it has gone down in history as the spiritual father of the sport.

This precious cup was purchased in 2012, through an auction, by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, which lent it to the Louvre on the occasion of the exhibition that will run until 16 September.

First issue of stamps of the Athens Olympic Games, 1896 – Emile Gillieron (Philatelic and Postal Museum of Athens)

The Marathon and Athletics Cup of the 1906 Mesolympics (Thessaloniki Olympic Museum)

Emile Gillieron: The official illustrator of the Olympic Games

Another person who also played a pivotal role in the revival of the Olympic Games was Emile Gillieron. Established for several years in Greece, the Swiss-born designer was the official artist of the first Olympic Games of 1896 and the 1906 Mesolympic Games. Among his works, which are on display in the Louvre’s major exhibition, were the winners’ trophies as well as stamps, posters, postcards and other material illustrating the revival of the Olympic Games, all inspired by antiquities with similar themes.

The Marathon Cup of Mesolybiada, which travelled from the Thessaloniki Olympic Museum to Paris for the needs of the exhibition, stands out: The father of the revival of the Olympic Games.

Emile Gilliéron’s designs for the trophies of the 1906 Mesolympic Games (French School of Spain)

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The exhibition could not fail to include a large, special tribute to Pierre de Coubertin, the French historian and educator who organized, in June 1894 in Paris, the historic conference that led to the revival of the Olympic Games and the establishment of the International Olympic Committee.

This important French initiative, together with the cooperation of Greece, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games, were the two main pillars of the revival of the ancient Olympic ideal.