Informative Essay: The Ancient And Modern Olympics

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, once said, "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well." The Ancient and Modern Olympics are a turning point in history for many reasons. Back then, the Olympics were an essential part of their culture and brought fame and fortune to its winners. It gave hope to men that were good athletes that were struggling to make ends meet by competing. Participating in the Olympics was a tremendous honor today and back then. Every four years it brings people, fans or athletes, from of all over the world to one place to enjoy competing in the Olympic events. Winners bring the gold, silver, or

Other traditions say they were first held as part of the observances at the funeral of a local hero, Pelops. Arriving safely at Olympia and under the official protection of Zeus, the athletes and their trainers were put under the supervision of Elian judges who decided on their eligibility. The competitors had to prove they were pure Greek blood. Eventually, a stream of visitors crowded Olympia and its surroundings. There were jugglers, magicians, and soothsayers performing. Peddlers, a person who goes from place to place selling small goods, sold snack and souvenirs. The first day was for oaths, sacrifices, singing of hymns, and other religious observances. Some athletes of the athletes offered gifts or prayers before victory statues of athletes who had been deified or at shrines of various patron gods, including several statues of

In the morning those who were present gathered at the Hippodrome, a cleared, leveled, narrow oval about 500 meters long. It was located east of the Altis, south of the stadium, and north of the bed (at the time) of the Alpheios River. The most distinguished event was the race of quadrigae. This event involved a light, two-wheeled chariot pulled by four horses. The number of entries was large; it would sometimes reach more than forty teams. The course went around two columns separated by about four hundred meters. The distance was twelve laps. The drivers had to swing wide; the distance traveled was somewhat longer than the length of nearly 10,000 meters or about 6 miles. Tactics and control were necessary at the turns. Immobilizing accidents were ordinary and usual. At the end of the race, there was only one finisher. The owner of the winning team of horses bound a fillet holding olive leave at Olympia. The next event was the race for the single horses with mounts. The jockeys competed naked and bareback (the chariot drivers wore a short tunic). Saddles, stirrups, harnesses, and metal shoes were still unknown. There are few records of the horse riders. The distance between the races covered is unknown. It could have been as little as four hundred meters, which is one lap or it could have been as much as six laps. The pentathlon was also held on the second day. In classical times the five events were the discus throw, the