Leon Pyrgos

Although he became the first Greek to win an Olympic event since ancient times, not a lot is known about Leon Pyrgos, a 22-year-old Athenian hailing originally from the Arcadian city of Mantinea. His father, Nikolaos Pyrgos, was the president of the first sports club in Athens, Athinaikos (renamed Athletikos Syllogos in 1896). A fencing instructor, Pyrgos would later publish various manuals for the sport.