How to be an Ancient Greek Athlete: A Guide to Olympia

1. Arrive at Elis, the city nearest to Olympia, with your trainer ten months prior to the Olympic Games. Remember to register to compete, but only if you are a free, Greek, male citizen. During this time you should be using the local training facilities (gymnasium and plaestra) in order to train for your sport. The following are your options:

• The Stadion - A 192 meter sprint. The original and most prestigious event.
• The Diaulos - A 384 meter sprint around a turning post.
• The Dolichos - An endurance race consisting of 18/24 laps (lap = 192m).
• The Hoplitodromos - A 192 meter sprint in full armor.
• Boxing
• Wrestling
• Pankratio - A combination of boxing and wrestling. Hand-to-hand combat to the brink of death.
• Various Equestrian Events - Most expensive sport but available to women.

2. In the month prior to the games, you will make the 30 kilometer procession from Elis to Olympia where you will train using the actual athletic facilities. Before you enter the gymnasium, you must first proceed through the bouleuterion, where you would check in and strip to the nude. Those athletes participating in the running events will practice in the gymnasium (which translates literally to "the naked place"), while combat athletes practice in the plaestra. Also during this first month, heats will be held in order to narrow down the competition for the actual Olympic games. 

Plaestra

3. At the start of the actual games, which last for five days, the athletes will proceed into the Sacred Altis, the religious area of Olympia, where the sacred flame would be lit. Sacrifices would be made on the Altar of Zeus (100 oxen) and you would swear the sacred oath to Zeus. This oath binds you to the rules of the games - no cheating and no bribing - as well as dedicates your performance to the gods.

Altar of Zeus

 4. After giving your oath to Zeus make sure you turn around and look at the Philippeon, which was built by Philip II of Macedonia to celebrate his third Olympic victory in an equestrian competition. Later Alexander (the Great) finished his father's monument and made it into an ancestor shrine, which didn't go over very well with the Greeks...

Philippeon

 5. Proceed past the Temple of Hera, and give sacrifices to her. Her temple was built in 570 B.C. and was the model for the Doric temple structure throughout antiquity. Ladies, don't fret, the Temple of Hera contains inscriptions which tell of an athletic competition held at Olympia for young women. (The altar is also where the modern Olympic torch is lit)

Temple of Hera

6. As you pass the treasuries of the city-states, you will fall into two lines, in which you will proceed through the crypt into the stadium for your competition. Be advised by the statues surrounding you, however. Look to your right and smile, picture yourself erecting a statue here among those who have won twice in the Olympic games, your name inscribed with your victories and athletic prowess for eternity.  Don't become too confident. Those statues of Zeus on your left have been erected by cheaters... it is better to compete fairly and lose, than cheat and win.

Crypt

 7.  You enter the stadium to the roar of 150,000 people who have come from all over the known world to watch you compete. They want competition, they want blood, and most of all they want to see the best Greece has to offer. Make sure to give them a show. After you are announced and your lot has been chosen, line up at the starting blocks, place your toes in the grooves and squat with your arms straight out. When the ropes are released, give a hop and then proceed to run down the track with your elbows and knees making ninety-degree angles. Remember you are only running on the balls of your feet, your heals should never touch the ground.

Running at Olympia
(The girl in black has the best form)

If you are a combat athlete, pray you don't get chosen to compete against Milo of Croton. You will be competing after all of the foot races have been completed. Move to the center of the pit and wait for the judges to call out the start. Stay on your feet and keep your guard up. Wrestling is based on points, the first to three points wins. Points are earned by pinning your opponents back to the ground. Boxing and pankratio are fought until either unconsciousness or death. Putting up your right pointer finger signals your surrender... but it is better to die than surrender.

Stadium at Olympia

 8. Turn and look to your left to the marble seat. Sitting upon it is the Priestess of Demeter, who has a sanctuary at Olympia. She is the only woman allowed at the games. Pre-menstrual girls are allowed to attend with their fathers - potentially to find them a future husband.

Seat of the Priestess of Demeter

9. CONGRATULATIONS!! You came in first place in your sport! Thank goodness because those athletes who come in first place are the only ones who receive the prizes. All of the training you have received since the age of five has paid off and your name will be entered into the records at Olympia. You proceed to the Temple of Zeus and stand in the shadow of the gold and ivory statue of Zeus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to receive your prize... an olive crown. There is no money for you at the Olympic Games, perhaps you will try the PanAthenaic games next if you need the money. Don't worry, upon returning home to your polis you will be showered in prizes, and money, and sponsorships.

Temple of Zeus

Don't get too comfortable in your victory, the Nemean, Isthmian, and Pythian (Delphic) games are coming up, and your competitors are out for blood.