well, According to the history Greeks, whose admiration for the healthy human body is
revealed in their sculpture, make almost a religion of competitive athletics.
It is their custom on solemn occasions, including even funerals, to engage in
races. This passion results in the world's first athletic fixture - the games
at Olympia, established according to tradition in the year 776 BC and held
every four years. At first this is just a one-day athletic meeting with a
single competitive event. The entire day is taken up with heats for a running
race - a sprint the length of the stadium, the equivalent of about 200 metres.
In later years more events are added.
Years added and also
discus and the javelin, the long jump, boxing, wrestling, chariot and horse racing and a challenge to test all-round ability - the pentathlon.
discus and the javelin, the long jump, boxing, wrestling, chariot and horse racing and a challenge to test all-round ability - the pentathlon.
The ancient pentathlon begins with
competition in four disciplines - running, jumping, throwing the discus and the
javelin. The winners emerging from these encounters then meet in a fifth and
decisive contest,
The champions receive a simple token of their victory, a garland of fresh olive to wear on the head. This is essentially a religious festival, in honour of the greatest of the Greek gods,Zeus.
The champions receive a simple token of their victory, a garland of fresh olive to wear on the head. This is essentially a religious festival, in honour of the greatest of the Greek gods,Zeus.
Reference:
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=2274&HistoryID=ac02>rack=pthc
