The Golden Flame

The Dream, The Struggle,
The Triumph.

The Golden Flame is a historical novel based on the heroic events of the revival of the first modern Olympics in Athens, 1896. It was the dream of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French nobleman who sacrificed everything in the pursuit of his ideals. Inspired by Shropshire doctor, William Brookes, of Much Wenlock, he set out on his great mission, assisted by the King of Greece and Prince Constantine.

Gabriel Murray with Baron de Navacelle, grandson of Pierre de Coubertin, at his chateau in Bolbec, Normandy

The Athens Games had many heroes - the first Olympian Irish American, James Connolly - Loues, a poor Greek Shephered, won the marathon, a race not run for over 2000 years – he became a hero throughout Greece.

The Golden Flame tells the heroic story of the first modern Olympians in a time when the Olympic ideal is threatened again. The story of the Athens games deserves to be told once more, if only to inspire and unite the youth of the world in the spirit of peace ;to carry a new torch and to learn for themselves the meaning of the ancient Olympic spirit once more.

The project is been developed by Ailesbury Corporate Finance, Dublin, and Stefinos Films, Athens and France, and is budgeted at $25,m.The film will be released pre Beijing James 2008, and in UK with a special gala prelaunch for the London Games 2012. Block funded in a co–production between Greece, France, England.