20. Ancient Olympic Games
1. The first Olympic Games took place in the year 776 BC.
2. The ancient Olympic Games took place every four years.
3. Zeus was honored in the ancient Olympic Games.
4. In periods of war messengers announced truce so that athletes could
travel to Olympia in safety.
5. Only free man who spoke Greek were allowed to participate in the
Olympic Games.
6. The award for the winner was an olive branch.
7. Married women were not allowed to watch the ancient Olympic Games
under penalty of death.
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21. Ancient Olympic Sports (1)
• Running
The foot race was the main event of the Games. There were 4 types of races (for example: 192 m–race).
• Discus
The ancient discus was made of stone, iron, bronze or lead.
• Javelin
The ancient javelin was made of wood and had a metal point.
• Jump
Athletes used stone or metal weights in order to increase the length of the jump. There was no run-up.
• Wrestling
An athlete needed to throw his opponent 3 times on the ground to win a match. →
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22. Ancient Olympic Sports (2)
• Boxing
Athletes fought without rounds until one man was knocked out, or admitted he had been beaten.
• Riding
The course was 6 laps around the stadium track. Jockeys rode bareback.
• Chariot racing
There were 2-horse and 4-horse races. The course was 12 laps around the stadium track.
• Pentathlon
This was a 5-event combination of running, discus, javelin, long jump and wrestling.
• Pankration
It was a combination of boxing and wrestling.
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