The relay starts in Olympia (as sports were held in ancient Greece) On the opening day of the Olympic Games, Greek athletes are always the first to enter the stadium, and the Olympic flame

The relay starts in Olympia (as sports were in ancient Greece)

On the opening day of the Olympic Games, Greek athletes are always the first to enter the stadium, and the Olympic flame each time lights up from the torch brought by the relay from the south of Greece, from Olympia.
This is done as a sign of respect for the homeland of the Olympic Games. The sports games of ancient Greece were celebrations of youth, beauty, strength, health and the triumph of peace. No wonder during the Olympics throughout the country a sacred truce was declared.
Many centuries have passed since then. Time and war destroyed Olympia. Archaeologists worked for a long time before they managed to restore the history of the ancient city of sports.

On ancient Greek vases, you can often see images of athletes: runners with and without weapons, discus throwers, judges.

Athletes' Oath

Before entering the Olympic arena, the athletes of antiquity swore that they would strictly abide by all the rules of the competition. The oath was recited in front of the statue of Zeus. She was sculpted specifically to intimidate athletes. Zeus held a lightning bolt in each hand. On the pedestal of the statue there were inscriptions: "Olympic victory is acquired not with money, but with the speed of legs and strength", "Science to all Greeks that money does not give victory to anyone at the Olympic Games."
These inscriptions were made after a Thessalian had bribed three opponents. The judges found out about this and took a heavy fine from him.
The ancient Hellenes were severely punished for cowardice. They say that one athlete, frightened of a difficult duel, ran away from Olympia. His name was cursed.
Parting words to the athletes, the judges said: "If you have adequately prepared for the Olympic Games, if a low deed and negligence do not weigh on you, then go with a cheerful heart. If not, then leave."

Foot of Hercules

There was no football field or stands at the Olympia stadium. Spectators were located right on the ground on the slope of Kronis Hill. In front of them, in an elongated quadrilateral, lay an arena with a straight, arrow-like treadmill, one stage long, which was approximately 192 meters.
Where did this measure of length come from? According to legend, the treadmill in Olympia was measured by the legendary hero of Greece – the mighty Hercules. He walked around the arena a distance equal to the length of his foot, repeated six hundred times.
Other cities in Greece also had stadiums, and the racetracks were measured in the same way. The measurements were always taken by the high priest. It is clear that in different cities the paths were different. And the longest is in Olympia. After all, Hercules' foot was much larger than that of ordinary people.

Four-legged winners

The ancient Hellenes were very fond of chariot racing and bareback horse racing. Who in these competitions received the wreath of the winner? Who were glorified by singers and poets? Charioteer? rider?
No matter how! The audience did not even know the names of these glorious people. Honors went to the owner of the team or the owner of the horse, and then to the four-legged winner.
One such incident happened. The horse Aura at the very beginning of the race threw off the rider, but, driven by the sounds of trumpets, continued galloping and came to the finish line first. The victory was awarded to its owner, a wealthy Corinthian, and the horse erected a monument with an inscription glorifying the speed of its legs.

It was a very long time ago – two thousand years ago, and maybe even earlier. An old man came to the Olympic Games from afar. He searched in vain for a free place. Every patch of land on the slopes of the hill was occupied.
Some greeted the appearance of the old man with joking remarks, others angrily shouted that he did not block the arena, and some embarrassedly turned away, as if not noticing him.
But then the old man approached the Spartans, and they all stood up respectfully, giving way to him. And the old man said: All Greeks know the rules of decency, but only the Spartans follow them.