When the Olympic Games started in 776 B.C. there was only one event, running. Over the next few decades and even centuries, other events were added but all of them revolved around speed and strength and other traits that were important in war. Not only were the first Olympics a celebration of Zeus, they were a show of a cities, military and man power.
Many people believe that ancient athletes competed naked. This may be true but there are many different opinions on the subject. Another myth about the Olympics were that women weren't allowed in the festival. This is both true and not true. Some women, mostly unmarried women, were let in to help run the festivals and cook, etc. Some were also there to search for a husband. What historians don't disagree on is that the games started and were competed for religious purposes. The games were a way for the people to show off for the gods, and for them to get together to worship and sacrifice animals and make offering to the gods, Zeus especially.
Today, the games have advanced in unbelievable ways, from the ancient Greeks.Sports have become more complex and there have been totally new sports added to the Olympics. We also have winter Olympics, with sports like snowboarding and skiing, the the ancient Greeks never dreamed of. The complexity and technology that have been added to the Olympics, have come with the advancement of humans, but the same basic principles still exist. The modern Olympics, just like the ancient Olympics, are a way for different countries to show off their strength and skill.
"BBC - History - Ancient History in depth: The Olympics: Ancient versus Modern." Ow.ly - Shorten urls, share files and track visits - Owly. Web. 18 Feb. 2010.
"File:Eli Bremer in 2008 Summer Olympics modern pentathlon running event.jpg -." Wikimedia Commons. Web. 17 Feb. 2010.
"File:Olympia-mosaic.jpg -." Wikimedia Commons. Web. 18 Feb. 2010.
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