The First Olympics

In 776 BC the first Olympic Games were held in western Greece on the ancient plains of Olympia. The Olympics were held to honor  Zues but were originally named for the god Olympian. These games were held every 4 years but for the first 13 games the only event held was a 180 meter foot race. Throughout the years other games continued to be added such as:

Longer running races

Horse races

Weight lifting

Pentathlon (Javelin, discus, sprint footrace, long jump, and wrestling)

Pancratium (Combination of boxing and wrestling)

-This was extreme wrestling in which the only things not allowed were gouging with the thumb and biting

The competitors were usually nude and the only people allowed to participate in these games where aristocratic young men who could have the privilege of leisure.


Sources: http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Olympics/ and Pastimes The Context of Contemporary Leisure