Aug 8, 2024
By: Kapil Yadav
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Running, due to being in the primitive nature of humans, has always been a part of sports. In ancient Olympics, there were 3 different events dedicated to running, the stade race, the diaulos and dolichos. Amongst these, the stade race, basically a 200-meter foot race, was the most important one.
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As the name suggests, the athlete has to jump on a track and the longest jump would win. But in ancient times it was approached a bit differently since the athlete would hold a halteres (a type of dumbbell used in Ancient Greece) and throw it away when about to jump.
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This is one Olympic sport which hasn’t changed much since ancient times. Initially, the discus was made of stone but later on, different materials like iron, lead or bronze were used. The throwing technique on the other hand was almost the same as it is today.
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Considered the most loved game of the ancient Olympics, wrestling champions were recognised as heroes in ancient Greece. The rules for this were simple, no biting or hitting the genitals as a result of which broken bones were a common occurrence.
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Unlike today, ancient Olympic boxing was bound by only a few rules. There were no weight classifications, no scoring system, no time limit and the participants would quit only by raising their index finger.
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Pankration was the most brutal game that ever existed in the ancient Olympics. The only guiding rules for this game were ‘No biting and No gouging’ and everything else was considered fair. Bound by practically no rules, death was a real possibility in this game. But after considering the brutality participants face it was discounted in the modern era.
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Part of the equestrian programme, chariot racing was known for its thrilling nature which made it the most popular game. It was played in a hippodrome(an oval stadium for horse and chariot races in ancient Greece). The four-horse chariot racing was the most awaited and the longest lasting-sport in this category. But, sadly after the fall of Rome, this too was discontinued.
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Pentathlon as the name suggests was a combination of five different sports that were stadion race, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, and wrestling. This sport was respected because it reflected the ideal Greek values of a well-rounded athlete and success in this meant skill, strategy, and endurance.
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