Page 14 - Olympism in Socialism

Alexander I, son of Amyntas and king of
Macedonia; and Democritus, a Philosopher were
all the participants in the Games. A sacred truce
was declared and enforced to permit participants
to travel without any disturbance to the Games.
The first date which records facts with any degree
of authenticity of world Olympics is, 776 B.C. In
the month of Apollonius, in the year 776 B.C
There was a great ‘stade’ (foot race) in Olympia
(Greece). The winner of the first ancient Olympics
in 776 B.C. was COROEBUS of Elis. It was a
historical moment for the world. From this event
we got the word ‘Stadium’ and for the first-time
history of the Olympics began to be recorded. For
centuries the games continued in glorious peace
and grew to a full five-day long programme
beginning with the judges dipping their hands in
sacrificial blood pledging impartiality.

Year Olympiad Events
776 B.C. 1 A stade race i.e., a foot race of
st
about 200 yards.
724 B.C. 14 (Diaulos) 2 stade race i.e., foot
th
race of about 400 yards
720 B.C. 15 (Dolichos) Long distance race of
th
24 stades i.e., about 3 miles.
708 B.C. 18 Panthalon
th
rd
688 B.C. 23 Boxing (for men)
680 B.C. 25 4 horse chariot race (for men)
th
rd
648 B.C. 33 Pancratium and Horse race (for
men)
632 B.C. 37 For first time, events for the boys
th
(foot race and wrestling)
st
616 B.C. 41 Boxing (for boys)
th
520 B.C. 65 Race in Armour
Married women were not allowed to
participate in, or to watch, the ancient Olympic
Games. However, unmarried women to attend the
competition, and the priestess of Demeter,
goddess of fertility, were given a privileged
3