Biography:
Stamata Revithi (Greek: Σταμάτα Ρεβίθη; 1866 – after 1896) was a Greek woman who made history by running the 40-kilometre marathon during the 1896 Summer Olympics. Despite the Games excluding women from competition, Revithi insisted on being allowed to run. Her determination and perseverance in the face of societal norms and discrimination became an inspiration for generations to come.
Born in 1866 in Syros, Revithi’s early life was marked by poverty and hardship. By the time of the 1896 Olympics, she was living in Piraeus, struggling to make ends meet. Revithi had already experienced the tragedy of losing her seven-year-old son in 1895. She was left with her seventeen-month-old child to care for, adding to the weight of her responsibilities.
Revithi embarked on a significant journey from her home to Athens, covering a distance of 9 kilometers, several days prior to the Olympic marathon. Her decision to undertake this arduous trek was rooted in hope for better opportunities in the capital city. Along the way, she encountered a male runner who recognized her passion for running. He encouraged her to participate in the marathon, believing it would make her famous and potentially lead to employment or financial stability.
Motivated by the runner’s words and her own love for long-distance running since childhood, Revithi made the bold choice to enter the race. The marathon was a special event invented for the 1896 Olympics, covering a distance of 40 kilometers and based on the legendary run of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens. Inspired by the victory of the Greeks over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon, Pheidippides’ run ended with his demise after delivering the crucial message.
Revithi’s determination to compete in the marathon showcased her resilience and defiance against societal norms. On the day following the men’s official race, she began her own marathon journey. With unwavering stamina, she completed the race in approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes, an impressive feat considering the challenging conditions and lack of official training.
Revithi ensured that witnesses signed their names to verify her running time. However, despite her remarkable accomplishment, she was denied entry into the Panathinaiko Stadium at the end of the race. It was a bitter disappointment for Revithi, who had hoped to present her well-documented achievement to the Hellenic Olympic Committee for recognition. Unfortunately, no known records survive regarding the events that followed her run.
Contemporary sources mention another woman named Melpomene who also participated in the 1896 marathon race. Olympic historians have engaged in debate and speculation about whether or not Stamata Revithi and Melpomene are the same person.
Stamata Revithi played a significant role in challenging the gender norms and limitations imposed on women in society at the time. Her bold decision to run, despite the exclusion of women from the competition, highlighted the injustice and inequality faced by women in sports. Revithi’s determination transcended societal barriers, making her an important figure in women’s history around the world.