True Tales Of The Ancient Olympics—Naked Races And More

True Tales of the Ancient Olympics—Naked Races and More
By Sarah Ives
National Geographic Kids News
August 09, 2004
This August millions of people will watch the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Athens is the birthplace of the Olympics. The first modern Olympics were held there in 1896. But the history of the Olympics in Greece dates back to much earlier.
The first ancient Olympics were held in 776 B.C. That's about 2,700 years ago! The games got their name from Olympia, the Greek city where they took place.
Like the Summer Olympics of today, the ancient Olympics were held every four years.
One of the main features of the ancient Olympics was the Olympic truce. The truce meant that all wars were stopped, so that athletes and spectators could compete and travel in peace.
Thousands of people from all over the Greek world came to watch. The main stadium held about 45,000 people.
"We have accounts of visitors and pilgrims setting up tents all around the site," Lisa Cerrato of Tufts University said.
During the first Olympics, there was only one competition—a 218-yard (200-meter) race. But over time the games grew to include wrestling, chariot racing, boxing, and other sports. Women were not allowed to compete, but they had their own, separate games.
"The ancient athletes became celebrities, just like today. They often lived the rest of their lives being treated to free dinners," Cerrato said. "City-states even tried to steal away each other's athletes by [offering] them various awards."
Unlike today's Olympics, the ancient Olympics were religious. According to David Romano of the University of Pennsylvania, the Olympics were held to honor Zeus.
Greeks thought that Zeus was the leader of the many gods and goddesses they believed in.
But what comes as a surprise to many people is the fact that many athletes competed completely naked!
The ancient Olympics existed until A.D. 393. But the modern Olympics are still going strong.
The Olympics "gathers athletes from around the world," said Sue Macy, author of a new National Geographic book, Swifter, Higher, Stronger: A Photographic History of the Summer Olympics. "It's so much bigger today."
When you watch the Olympics this summer, Macy hopes you will remember more than the history of the games.
"You should pay attention not just to the winners ... but to the people who don't win the gold medal. Think about what it took to get there, the dedication," Macy said.
This summer's Olympics may not have naked races, but it is sure to have plenty of excitement!