Diagoras Momument

This bronze statue located on a roundabout at the entrance to Rhodes is well-worth stopping at for a closer look. It is NOT a statue of Neptune! A couple of folk have said Diagoras was a swimmer or a wrestler. Here's the correct info about this famous Olympian, after whom the airport and football team are named:
Diagoras won the boxing twice in the Olympic games, four times in the Isthmian Games, twice in the Nemean Games, and once at least in the Pythian Games. That surely would have qualified him for Sports Personality of the Year!
His three sons were also Olympic champions. The oldest son, Damagetos, won the pankration in 452 and 448 BC. Akousílaos, the second son, won the boxing in 448 BC. The two celebrated their victory by carrying their father around the stadium on their shoulders, cheered loudly by the spectators. This is what is depicted in the statue. Legend has it that during Diagoras' triumphant ovation on the shoulders of his sons, a spectator shouted: "Die, Diagoras; you will not ascend to Olympus besides." Indeed Diagoras died on the spot, and has since been considered the happiest mortal that ever lived. (His youngest son, Dorieús, was even more successful than his brothers).