According to tradition, the most important sporting events were held in 776 BC. Olympia in the Peloponnese. in the 6th century BC. In the 3rd century BC, more pan-Hellenic (pan=all, Hellenikos=Greek) games took place in Delphi, Nemea, and the Isthmus, in which Greek-speaking city-states participated. Many local games, such as the Panathenaic Games in Athens, are modeled after these four peridoi or round games.
The Pythian Games at Delphi paid tribute to Apollo, including singing and show competitions; games were held at Nemea in honor of Zeus; at the Isthmus they celebrated Poseidon; at Olympia they were dedicated to Zeus, although for Hera There were different competitions in which young unmarried women took part.
At the heart of Greek athletics is the physical effort of the individual to outdo one’s opponents. For this reason, ancient Greek sports generally did not include team competitions and performances aimed at setting records.
Greeks believe that her love of track and field sets her apart from non-Greeks, who can only compete with Greek citizens.
REF: www.metmuseum.org
PIC: Ancient world magazine, Metropolitan museum of art, History extra, History.com