The Greeks and Their Sports


by Richard Monk - Date: 2006-12-02 - Word Count: 423 Share This!

Greece is often referred to as one of the first stable civilizations. Ironically, it is Greek sports which have stood the test of time and are with us today.

The Greeks and Their Sports

Sporting events have been a major part of most cultures in the world, from the Egyptians and Romans, right up to today's sporting events such as the World Series and Super Bowl. The Olympics, a showcase of Greek sports that started thousands of years ago, is still held every four years - a testament to the strength of the Greeks' love of sport and competition. Without these Greek sports, the world of athletics would be much different than it is today.

The first Olympic games (known as the Olympic games) started somewhere around 776 BC and were continued until about the year 393 AD - comprising 292 sets of Olympic games. The exact start of these games, traditionally held in Olympia, Greece, is unknown; there are many different theories and myths that try to explain their beginnings, but no definitive answer. The most famous myth involves Heracles, who won a race at Olympia and then sent out a decree saying that the race should be re-enacted once every four years.

Of course, the Greek sports featured at the early Olympic games were much more than just races; although at first that was the only event. The 190-meter long stadion race was the event run every four years at first, and it is the word from which the name "stadium" is derived. Additionally, at this time, the Greeks introduced the concept of nudity in their athletics, which was said to honor the Spartans. After a while, other sports were added to the Olympic games, such as boxing and wrestling, along with the famous pentathlon.

Boxing as one of the Greek sports was much more intense and brutal than today's sport. Originally fought with either bare or thinly wrapped hands, boxing evolved into being performed with gloves weighted with metal. This sport, along with the others which included chariot races and pankration which was similar to martial arts, was practiced nude. Contestants wore no clothing (there is some debate as to whether there were genital supports, as all participants were male) and even oiled themselves to look better.

The Olympics have come a long way from their beginnings; women now compete, as do men from all over the world. The sports involved have changed, and the competitions are completed fully clothed. However, much of the feel and ideals of the original Olympic games remains - a testament to Greek sports.


Related Tags: men, women, sports, activities, greece, olympics, boxing, egyptians, romans, brutal

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