Contact: Maridith Geuder
The 28th Olympiad beginning Aug. 13 in Athens will have few things in common with its ancient predecessor.
"Very few things," according to a Mississippi State University classics professor.
While returning to their eighth century B.C. point-of-origin, the games' modern evolution would confound the ancients, said Robert Wolverton Sr. Founded on a concept of individual excellence, "there was no such thing as a 'team' sport,'" he added.
"With an emphasis on personal accomplishment, ancient winners were regarded as heroes when they returned home," Wolverton said. In that regard, one aspect remains unchanged: "Then, as now, the honor of winning carried a nearly mythic significance."
Another particular feature of the first Olympics was an agreement among nations that all warfare temporarily cease. By contrast, some countries taking part in modern Olympic Games seem almost too ready to seize the opportunity for emphasizing political differences.
"A truce was declared before, during and immediately after the games," Wolverton said of the ancient events. "Known as the Olympic Truce, it assured safe travel for all those attending.
"Now, we have witnessed some countries refusing to participate as a protest to international politics, not to mention the killing of athletes at the 1972 Munich games and current security threats," he said.
Originally intended as a tribute to the Greek god Zeus, early games lasted only one day and consisted primarily of foot races ending at the Temple of Zeus in Olympia. Wolverton said wrestling, javelin-throwing, chariot racing--and, briefly, mule-cart racing--were among other sports added later. While some still endure, team competition and modern challenges ranging from ping pong to basketball have assured a contemporary and permanent transformation.
The pagan mythology-based games were put out of commission in the fourth century A.D. when Roman Emperor Theodosius decreed Christianity to be the empire's sole religion, Wolverton explained. The Olympics would remain dormant until 1896, when a French educator successfully revived them as a way of fostering both education and international understanding. Fittingly, the rekindled games also were held in Athens.
"Since 1896, the Olympics have been held literally all over the world," Wolverton said.
A major modern change took place in 1994, when winter and summer sports were separated. "Now, games that originally were held every four years are on a two-year cycle," he said.
Of all modern developments, the inclusion of women in the competition would most surprise the ancient Greeks, Wolverton said. Women first participated in 1912.
"Women were not allowed even to watch the early Olympics," he said, adding that male runners who found clothing too restrictive often chose to race without it.
"In the early 20th century, perhaps there was no greater female competitor than American "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias," Wolverton observed.
A child of Norwegian immigrant parents, the female phenomenon and future founder of the Ladies Professional Golf Association "had a will to win." Wolverton said her strong athletic desire clearly was evident during the 1932 games, where women were limited to no more than three events.
After having entered all three and placing first in the 80-meter hurdles and javelin throw, Zaharias encountered controversy in the high-jump. She might have won outright had not the judges declared her bar approach to be illegal. As a result, she was declared the second-place winner and remains the only Olympic athlete ever to hold a half gold/half silver medal.
"She blazed a trail for later women," Wolverton said.
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