OLYMPIC GAMES
B.C. 776- A.D. 393
ANCIENT OLYMPICS

AD393-1896 TRANSITION PERIOD-15 CENTURY
1896-2000

MODERN OLYMPICS
Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1862-1937)

ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES

* While the exact origin is unknown, the ancient Oliympic Games were held in a valley at Olimpia in Greece and the earliest recorded Olympic competition was in 776 B.C.
* It was held every four years.
* For many years only one event was known: the stadium race (192 m). From 724 B.C. onwards new were added: two stadia race, “dalicus race” (approximately 24 stadia), wrestling, the penthathlon (720 B.C.), boxing (708 B.C.),…
* From 752 B.C., the price was a wreath of wild laurel called “Athlus”. At first the games lasted only one day, but as new events added they were extended to five days, three for the races and two (the first and the last day) for ceremonies and sacrifices.

* The only purpose was to become 1st. in the races. It was nonsense to become 2nd. In the games.
Numerous factors and events contributed to the decline of the Olympic Games: need for learning, the influence of Macedonian and the East, the occupation of the country by the Romans, the bribing of the athletes and radical charges in the composition of society and the lives of people.
* Finally, political reasons forced Emperor Thedosius I to forbid all pegan festivals and the celebration of the Olympic Games in 393 A.D.
* After 394 A.D. “Olympia” (four years between games) became a mass of ruins, as a result of earthquakes, fires, bloods, barbarian attacks and invasion.

EARLY HISTORY

* Beginning: honour of Zeus, Pelops start in 776 in B.C. (there was apperently only one event, the stade (192m.) but other events were added.
* Diaulos (two length race- nearly 400m.) in 724 B.C.
* Dolichos (a long distance race 1500 or 5000 m. ) in 720 B.C.
* Wrestling and Pentathlon (the long jump, javelin, discus, foot race, and wrestling) in 708 B.C.
* Boxing in 688 B.C.
* Chariot race in 680 B.C.
* Pancratium in 648 B.C. (wrestling, kicking, hitting but no biting and gouging)

EARLY HISTORY

* Between 632-616 B.C. events for boys were introduced.
* Until the 77th Olympiad (472 B.C.) all of the contests took place on one day later they were spread over four days, with a fifth devoted to closing-ceremony presentation of prizes, and a banquet for the champions.
* Women were not allowed (priestess of demeter or owner of horses in chariot race)
* In most events the athlates participated in the nude.
* During the Greek period the games were restricted to freeborn Greeks.

The Events of Olympic Games

Running: is the first event of the Olympic games. The stadia was 192 m race. Then two stadia and dalicus races (24 stadia) added. The surface was dressed with sand and the runners feet were naked.

Jumping: It was different from modern jumping event: the jumpers were using weights. Althoug the purpose of the weights is not known, some historians say that the use of weights is to bring jumping firmly to his landing.

Discus throwing: The discus was made of stone and weighed much more than the one used now.

Javelin Throwing: Javelin was thrown by Greeks with the help of a thong looped over the first finger of the throwing hand.
Boxing: Boxing matches were continued interrupted until one of the competitors was knocked our or held his hand up to accept defeat.
Wrestling: There is no idea about the style of Greek wrestling but it is known that Greek wrestlers rubbed olive all over themselves before training or competition. This was a hygienic measure, designed to keep sand and dust out of the pores.
Penkration: Combination of wrestling and boxing where the aim was not to throw the opponent but bring him to a point where he was compelled to admit defeat as in boxing.
Penthatlon: combination of five events: running, jumping, throwing the discus, throwing the javelin, and wrestling.

PES 415 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS