Page 13 - Olympism in Socialism

were continued by king Aethlios, who offered his
crown to whichever of his sons excelled in
running at the Olympic Games. He was also the
originator of the word ‘Athlete’.
The games occupied such an important
position in the life of Greeks that the time
measured by the four-year interval between them
was called an Olympiad. The Olympic Victor
received his first awards immediately after the
competition. Following the announcement of the
winner’s name by the herald, a Hellanodikai
Greek Judge) would place a palm branch in his
hands, while the spectators cheered and threw
flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head
and hands as a mark of victory.
The official award ceremony would take place
on the last day of the Games, at the elevated
vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice,
the herald would announce the name of the
Olympic winner, his father’s name and his home
land. Then, the Hellanodikai is placed on the
sacred Olive tree wreath, of kotinos, on the
winner’s head. To win this great honour kings
competed along with common peoples, even the
Roman emperor NERO sought Olympic honours.
Winners became national heroes, lyricists sang
songs full of their praise and sculptors preserved
their strength and beauty in marble. Their facts
of skill and courage were recorded by the poets
and writers of the time. The gratefulness and
sportsmanship of the contestants and the method
of winning were as much esteemed as the victory
itself.
All free male Greek citizens were entitled to
participate in the ancient Olympic Games,
regardless of their social status, Orsippos, a
general from Megara, Poluminister, a shepherd;
Diagoras, member of a royal family from Rhodes;

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