In conversation with his daughter Katerina, Charis Limberopoulos, a veteran sports journalist and champion of Greece in pentathlon and long jump during the challenging post-war years, a cosmopolitan Athenian who left his mark on his era, unfolds the narrative thread of the 20th century as he lived it.

A living history himself at 98 years of age, he shares his memories of prominent figures in the global sports arena who became national symbols of their countries. From the Czechoslovakian super-athlete long-distance runner Emil Zátopek, whom he met at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, to the Black Panthers Tommy Smith and John Carlos, whom he saw raising their fists for African American rights on the podium of the troubled 1968 Mexico City Olympics, in one of the most shocking moments of modern Olympic history.

Readers will also find testimonies about great personalities who distinguished themselves in other fields within the pages of the book. From pacifist Grigoris Lambrakis – who saved Limberopoulos from certain exile and possibly death during the Civil War years – to Marshal Tito – who granted an exclusive interview to the then young reporter of the Athinai during the Cold War period – as well as Nasos Botsis, the legendary publisher of Apogeumatini, with whom they revolutionized the Greek press by presenting, for the first time, a special sports four-page insert in a political newspaper.

Memories and testimonies documented by rare photographic evidence. And all against the backdrop of Athens's evolution and change from the Interwar period to the early 21st century; a cardiogram of the capital of the past century.