In the Ancient Greek Olympics, athletes used to perform without clothes

Can you imagine sitting with your family to watch a group of naked men, with oil-soaked bodies running around and flexing their muscles? Yes, that’s how the Olympic Games were played in ancient Greece with the athletes showing off their physiques during parades in the stadium.  

Why did the athletes play naked?  
How the Greek athletes started to compete in the nude form, is a story in itself. A Spartan runner named Acanthus was said to have set the trend by appearing without the customary loincloth.  

Many years later the origin of this practice of nudity was attributed to another sprinter, Osippus, who won the one-stade footrace (about 180m) at the Olympics of 720BC. It was said he realised that a naked man could run faster than one impeded by a loincloth. 

Also, the athletic body was a symbol of Greek civilisation, superiority and control. For the ancient Greeks, being a victorious Olympic athlete was tantamount to being a demigod, and exhibiting their perfect bodies in public was seen as a way to honour the gods.  

And that’s why the gymnasium was an important place for the ancient Greeks where men were able to train in the nude. In fact, the word gymnasium or gymnastics actually comes from the Greek word  ‘gymnos’, which translates as “naked”.  

Origin and evolution of ancient Olympic Games 
The first ancient Olympic Games, named after Mount Olympus,  took place almost 2,800 years ago in the town of Olympia in Greece. Every four years from 776BC to 393AD, thousands of people from all over the Greek world congregated for the competition.  

The event was also not the same as you see it today. In games, there were wrestling, boxing, discus throwing, horse racing and running but unlike the modern Olympics, there was no torch relay, no female competitors. Events would often become brutal too!  

There are many theories about how the Games originated. One theory is that it was a festival in the honour of God Zeus (God of sky in ancient Greek culture) while some historians believe that the ancient Olympics were actually funeral games  held in honour of deceased local heroes. 

Fact File 

• There was no gold, silver, or bronze medals given at the ancient Games. In fact, prizes were awarded only to the winners, which began with a wreath made from the leaves of the sacred olive trees in Olympia. 
• Athletes who broke rules during the Olympics were publicly whipped. 
• Women could participate in Heraean Games, specially designed for them, dedicated to the goddess and wife of Zeus, Hera. These games were also held in Olympia, and featured young girls competing in a foot race.