In competitions such as the Olympic Games

There were competitions in athletics and other sports. Mostly only male citizens participated in them. Only men could be among the spectators. Participants performed naked or in loincloths.

To protect from the sun, the skin was lubricated with oil. The competitions, which usually involved individuals rather than teams, included running, discus and javelin throwing, long jump, wrestling, boxing, and pankration.

Running competitions consisted of a one-lap distance run around the stadium (one stadion (stadion) – 183 m), two laps (365 m), a long distance run – up to 24 laps around the stadium, as well as a run in armor, when participants had to put on a helmet, leg armor and carry a shield.

The diameter of the stadium in different states was different. There were also pentathlon competitions, when the two best in javelin and discus throwing, running and jumping competed in wrestling.

Some competitions differed from their modern equivalents. So, during long jumps, participants picked up a load – “halter” (pl. halteres), rocked it and jumped, pushing their arms forward, apparently believing that this helps to increase the length of the jump.

The wrestling competition continued until one contestant placed the other on both shoulder blades three times, or until one of the opponents gave up. Pankration (pankration) was a brutal form of martial arts, during which opponents were allowed to use fistfighting and wrestling, as well as kicking and strangling each other.

There were almost no illegal holds or grabs (with the exception of biting and pressure on the eyes), but there were strict rules for the competition, the execution of which was monitored by the judges.

Women were not usually allowed to participate in sports

But during the Olympic Games, a running competition was held near Elis, which was part of the festival in honor of Hera, in which women (or at least parthenoi – girls) took part.

Women could also participate in competitions during other festivities, but we have no direct evidence of this. At competitions (including women’s), the Spartans were often the winners, for whom hard physical training was mandatory for boys and girls.

Mass entertainment also includes visiting gymnasiums, where male representatives could go in for sports and prepare for competitions.

The very word “gymnos” (gymnos) means “naked” or “lightly dressed”, and this is what the athletes looked like during training. Both adults and children participated in various ball games. The Greeks also had games similar to modern hockey, handball and basketball. Swimming was one of the activities.