Did mew know that Greece started the Olympics?

No one knows for sure when the first Olympics were held. One theory suggests they began in the year 776 B.C., when Koroibos, a cook from the nearby city of Elis, won the stadion race, a foot race 600 feet long. Such stories, which have been told through the generations, say this was the only event in the Olympic games for 13 years. Over time, longer footraces and separate events were also added. The pentathlon and wrestling events were the first of these to be added in the 18 Olympiad. According to archaeologists, however, the games may have started as soon as the 10th or 9th century B.C. These scientists have found metal objects believe to have been given out to the winning contenders.

The reason for Ancient Olympic games is a topic left to many myths, but athletic events were naturally part of Greek culture. One myth claims infant Zeus� guardians held the first footrace. Another says Zeus himself began the games to celebrate his victory over Cronus, which gave him control of the world. Yet another tradition tells of the Greek hero Pelops winning a chariot race against King Oenomaus to marry the King�s daughter, Hippodamia, and commencing the Olympic games in honor of the event. Despite these myths, it is certain that athletic games were an important part of Greek culture, especially religious festivals, from early times. Olympia was the site of the Temple of Zeus, making it the perfect religious place for the �Olympic� games. These were such sacred Games that a truce was declared the entire mo nth before the Olympics so athletes could reach the island safely.

These Athletes were raised with sport as a key part of their education, as it was believed a developed body was equally important as a developed mind. Greek men were always needed for military service. Thus, the Palaestra, or wrestling school, was a required educational element for every boy, Olympic contender or not. Their teachers used long sticks to �point out� incorrect posture, balance, and other faults. They also monitored exercise and diet! Often, the boys exercised to flute music because smooth movement was considered imperative. Though all men trained at the Palaestra, selected Olympic competitors had to train at Olympia for a month before the Games.

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn�t appear athletes in the Games originally competed naked. Of course, only men were allowed to compete, so nudity at any point of the games never became too risqu� for public eyes. There is doubt if Koroibos ran his famous race with a cloth over his loin or not. The Spartans seem most likely to have added a risqu� nudity streak to the games that did end up sticking later on. The Spartans prided themselves on withstanding physical pain and exertion, so it�s natural they coerced the games to be a nude event.

For their exertion, winners were rewarded with a crown of olive leaves, a statue of themselves erected in Olympia, and the respect of his hometown. When a man won the Olympics, his town was respected and became known throughout Greece. Usually, he and his family were fed by the hometown the rest of their lives, and received special perks such as front row seats at the theater and other festivals. Because of how revered this position of respect was considered amongst the villages of Greece, it was also easy to get into trouble if you took the victory from them! Once, a winning contender of Crotona decided to compete for Syracuse in the following year�s Games. After he won, the natives of Crotona were so upset he �stole� their victory, they tore down his Olympia statue and condemned him to imprisonment in his own house! The main prize for an Olympic victory was respect from your fellow villagers; withou t their respect, victory didn�t do much for you.

The Ancient Games ended in 393 A.D. 1,503 years later, Baron Pierre de Coubertin pressed the idea of having these games unveiled once more in his native Paris. The world was so enthralled with the idea of beginning these games again, they decided to do so� but voted on Greece as the host for the return of the Olympics in 1896. France was provided the opportunity to host the first Winter Olympic games ever, seeing as there was no Winter Games in Greece, in Chamonix during the year 1924.