Athens is cleaning its all-marble Olympic stadium for the first time in more than a century

Athens is undertaking a historic cleaning of its iconic Panathenaic Stadium, the only all-marble Olympic stadium in the world, for the first time in over a century. The stadium, constructed in 1896 for the inaugural modern Olympic Games, has served as the ceremonial start for Olympic flames, including the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles games.

Located in a natural ravine, the stadium was initially built for ancient Greek and Roman athletic contests but fell into disuse for centuries before being rebuilt for the 1896 Olympics. Its name, "Kallimarmaro" or "beautiful marble," originates from its opulent white marble exterior, reminiscent of the Acropolis.

The meticulous cleaning process involves the use of thin spray lances and vacuum systems to remove layers of dirt, organic material, chewing gum, high heels, and soft-drink stains. Senior conservator Dimitris Selemis explained that the objective is not to make everything white but to reveal the monument's original gleaming appearance.

Isidoros Kouvelos, the president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, expressed pride in the stadium's restoration, stating that the cleaning process will bring out its brilliance and reestablish it as a prominent symbol of the Olympic Movement.