Athens’ historic Olympic stadium gets first deep clean in over 100 years

• Athens’ historic Panathenaic Stadium, the all-marble venue that hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, is undergoing its first thorough cleaning in over a century.
• Specialists are using low-pressure water and steam to remove dirt and chewing gum from the site's 47 tiers.
• Known as “Kallimarmaro”, or beautiful marble, the landmark acts as the traditional ceremonial send-off point for the Olympic flame
• The privately funded restoration project also includes installing a new track, upgraded lighting, and fresh support facilities, with work running through 2026.
• Work is currently focused on preparing the venue for a torch-passing ceremony on 10 September for the Dakar Youth Olympics in Senegal, the first Olympic competition in Africa.

IN FULL

Athens’ all-marble Olympic Stadium gets first major clean in a century