Olympia, Greece

Travel Post #29: Olympia, Greece

Every four years people all over the world turn on the television to watch the Olympics with athletes competing in all sporting genres such as: cycling, water polo, gymnastics, swimming, skiing, basketball, table tennis, and the list goes on and on. Competitors battle head-to-head against opposing countries to take home the coveted gold, silver, and bronze medals. Young and old take part in the competitions as well as observe from the comfort of their own homes, local bars and even the fortunate few watch from right there in the arena; but this isn’t how it used to be…

Dating back further than 776 BC, competitions were held every Olympiad (4 years) including the first games held in honor of Zeus. –Hence the name “The Olympics”

The list of games played during the Olympics was a limited select few, unlike today’s ever changing and increasing list. Similarly, competitors had to qualify in order to complete in their sport of choice.

The site of the ancient Olympics was Olympia; a sanctuary with buildings associated with games and the worship of gods. The most celebrated was the Temple of Zeus, in this temple was a statue made of ivory and gold. (One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) In modern times, the location of each Olympics rotates around the globe. Previous host cities include: London, Tokyo, Antwerp, Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney, Athens, Barcelona, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Montreal, and many more…

Ancient spectators included Plato and Aristotle. Barbarians were among the audience, but not on the competition field. A competitor had to be a free, unpunished Greek and he had to have trained for the games in his home for ten months and for one month in Olympia. Slaves and women, on the other hand, were strictly forbidden to watch the games. If a woman, especially a married one, watched the games she was immediately thrown off Mt. Typaeon.

Modern day winners are adorned with a medal (gold, silver, bronze), but in ancient times the prize was an olive wreath from Zeus’s holy tree. Cheaters have been frowned upon since the ancient times. If an athlete is caught cheating now the media rips a hole in them and they are disqualified; previously cheaters were forced to finance a statue of Zeus where their names were displayed in dishonor.

Check Out Their Website: http://www.olympia-greece.org/