HDI Global Working With Climate Risks in Athens Stadium

The latest research project being backed by HDI Global;

HDI Global and HDI Risk Consulting (HRC) are partnering with the Hellenic Olympic Committee to assess the climate risks that may affect the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro) in Athens. This is the first project in the Iconic Landmarks Series.

Rising in the heart of Athens, the Panathenaic Stadium, widely known as Kallimarmaro, is the only stadium in the world constructed entirely of marble. Originally built in the 4th century BC and reconstructed for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, it stands as a unique symbol of athletic heritage and cultural continuity. Today, it serves as an iconic venue for major ceremonies, sporting events and cultural activities, welcoming thousands of visitors each year.

The stadium, which hosts the finish of the Authentic Athens Marathon and the Olympic Flame handover ceremonies, faces increasing risks such as extreme heat, heavy rainfall, drought, and wildfire smoke.

In Athens, extremely hot days (>35 °C) are projected to triple over the next 30 years. By 2060, maximum temperatures may reach 46.6 °C (4.5 °C higher than in the 1970s), and by 2100, up to almost 50 °C (7.9 °C above the 1970s). The average annual number of heatwave days is expected to rise from 7.2 days in 1970 to 16.7 by 2030, 34.2 by 2060, and 65.1 by 2100.

The HDI Risk Consulting team, which conducted an on-site visit to the Stadium, combines scientifically validated climate modelling with an understanding of the site’s unique cultural value. The analysis identifies key areas of potential vulnerability and proposes practical, heritage sensitive adaptation measures, such as enhanced drainage systems, improved monitoring of material condition, and operational protocols for extreme heat and poor air-quality events.

“By combining advanced climate-risk analytics with specialised engineering expertise, we aim to help protect this globally iconic site for future generations,” says Lars Regner, Head of Resilience Services at HDI Risk Consulting. “Our collaboration with the Hellenic Olympic Committee demonstrates how data-driven resilience planning can safeguard cultural heritage in a changing climate.”

“The Panathenaic Stadium is more than an architectural masterpiece – it is a living symbol of our Olympic heritage. Our collaboration with HDI Global ensures that we protect this legacy for generations to come,” says Kostis Liarommatis, Member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Chair of the Sports and Environment Commission.

“We are proud to introduce an innovative climate-resilience service for one of the most emblematic monuments of ancient Greek history. The Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro) is not only a symbol of athletic excellence but a living testament to cultural continuity. Our role is to ensure that this heritage remains protected against accelerating climate change,” says Konstantinos Semertzoglou, Managing Director of HDI Global SE, Hellas.

HDI Global’s new Iconic Landmarks tool is an initiative dedicated to assessing the impacts of climate change on historic and culturally significant sites worldwide. The Iconic Landmarks Series aims to examine how climate conditions may affect cultural symbols across the world and how targeted resilience strategies can support their sustainable preservation for future generations.