THE Ancient vs. Modern OLYMPIC GAMES

The modern Olympic games take place every four years in a major city. This summer, they take place in London.

18,000 male and female athletes from 52 countries will be competing in 26 different events.

But the Olympic Games have not always been like this.

The Olympic games started 2,700 years ago. Every 4th year, for a thousand years, from 776 BC to AD 395, they came flocking to one city, Olympia, in Greece…

To begin with only one country took part. That was Greece, which at that time was divided into separate city states. People from all the main states of Greece travelled from miles around to compete.

Before the games messengers or heralds travelled across Greece to remind everyone that there was a month’s truce to ensure people could travel and perform safely.

The games were held in honour of Zeus, king of the Gods.

The first games had just one event, a sprint, initially taking place on just a strip of open land with a starting line drawn in the sand so you were ‘starting from scratch’.

And yes, as we heard earlier, competitors were completely naked!

Married women were not allowed to watch the ancient Olympics. However, Greek women had their own games called Heraia held in honour of Hera, Zeus’ wife. They could also be involved as owners of horses taking part in the chariot racing events for example.

Boxing, Wrestling, Javelin and Discus soon joined the Ancient Greek

Olympic games.

A winner received an olive wreath, he might have been given free meals for life when he returned home. He might have had a statue put up in his name or an ode written about him, married a rich woman and had the best seats at the theatre.

About 50,000 people could camp and sit in the stadium; it was very hot and very crowded. Jugglers and acrobats performed. The games ended with a great feast.