What were the main events of the ancient Olympic Games?
(1) race
1, sprint
Sprint is the only original event in the ancient Olympic Games. The running distance is about192m. The competition is divided into preliminaries and finals, and athletes draw lots to decide the number of groups and the starting position.
Step 2 run in the middle
Middle-long distance running was listed as an official event for the first time at the 14 ancient Olympic Games in 724 BC. The length of the middle race is two runways (384 meters). At the turning back of the finish line, there is a turning stone pillar. The competitor bypassed the stone pillar and ran back just visible, similar to running back and forth.
3, long-distance running
In the 15 ancient Olympic Games in 720 BC, long-distance running was listed as an official event. I just ran back and forth many times on the runway and ran 24 runways (4,608 meters) long.
4. Armed competition
This event was listed as an official event at the 65th ancient Olympic Games in 520 BC. The early contestants wore armor, helmets and hats, leather and knee pads on their legs, and a shield in their left hand. In the 4th century BC, they became naked and held shields. When starting, you should kneel on one leg and run back and forth twice at a distance of 4 runways (768 meters).
Armed race is the closing ceremony of the ancient Olympic Games with spectacular scenes and fierce competition.
In the above competitions, the athletes all ran barefoot, and the running posture was basically the same as today.
(2) Wrestling
Wrestling is a favorite sport of ancient Greeks and a compulsory course in schools at all levels. At the 18 ancient Olympic Games in 708 BC, wrestling was listed as one of the five major sports, and it was also listed as a separate event.
Before the game, draw lots to decide the opponent. In the game, as long as the shoulders, chest, knees and other parts touch the ground, it is judged as losing one point, and losing three points is judged as failure. The winner will draw lots and continue the game until there is only one person left on the field. This is the final winner.
(3) Pentathlon
This event was designated as a competition event at the 18 ancient Olympic Games in 708 BC. Its five events include running, long jump, discus throwing, javelin throwing and wrestling.
1. race
Like a solo sprint, the distance is 192 meters.
2. Long jump
There are two kinds of long jump: discrete fixed long jump and run-up long jump. Run-up long jump technique is very different from modern technique. Athletes must hold 1.5 ~ 4.5 kilograms of stone or metal dumbbells. The ancient Greeks thought that this could accurately grasp the swing range of the two arms, increase the thrust, increase the distance of the long jump, keep the balance of the body, and make the feet land smoothly. According to the regulations at that time, the result was invalid.
The long jump competition is accompanied by flute, the purpose of which is to stimulate the athletes' emotions, master the run-up rhythm and calculate the time.
Throwing discus
The contestants first cover their hands with sand or mud, then swing the cake back and forth and throw it out in the first step or the first three steps. At that time, the diameter and weight of discus were very different, and there was no uniform specification. Due to the lack of protective measures, casualties occur from time to time.
4. Javelin
There are two kinds of throwing accuracy and throwing distance. The length of the gun is about1.6m, and the thickness is the same as that of the index finger. Spears with sharp edges are used for throwing, and spears without sharp edges are used for throwing far. A thin thong is wound around the middle and front of the javelin, and the tail end of the thong forms a circle. When throwing, the index finger and middle finger are inserted into the holster. The ancient Greeks thought it would help to keep the direction of flight and throw it further.
wrestling
It's not exactly the same as wrestling alone Only one match in each group will determine the outcome, and some dangerous actions in individual wrestling are also prohibited.
(4) boxing
In 688 BC, boxing was listed as a competition in the 23rd ancient Olympic Games. No grouping, no grading by weight, draw lots to decide opponents, and there is no time limit until one of them is knocked unconscious or raises his right hand to indicate failure. The winner will draw lots again until there is one person left.
(5) Mixed fighting
Mixed martial arts is a competitive event that combines wrestling and boxing. It was first listed as an event in the 33rd ancient Olympic Games in 648 BC.
Different from wrestling, mixed martial arts competition is not just about throwing the opponent down, but hitting the opponent with various actions within the scope permitted by the rules until the opponent loses his resistance or admits defeat. The methods allowed by the rules are: tripping, blocking your nose, pulling your ears, snapping your fingers, pinching your neck (not strangling your neck) and so on. Some people will take some dangerous actions in order to win, so injuries, disabilities and bloodshed often occur in the game.
(6) Racing
At the 25th ancient Olympic Games in 680 BC, it was listed as an event of the ancient Olympic Games, with racing cars printed on it. The race is divided into four horse races and two horse races, which are held at the racecourse with a length of 800 meters and a width of 320 meters. Chariots travel about 10 km, and each car is painted with different colors, which is gorgeous and magnificent. When ancient Greece was invaded by ancient Rome, this project became a self-performance of princes and nobles; Most referees are also bribed.
The car race is very fierce. The athlete nudged the horse forward. Accidents such as rollover often happen, and less than half of the people finish the race.
(7) Horse racing
In 648 BC, it was listed as an event in the 33rd ancient Olympic Games. Horses have no saddles and stirrups, and they all compete by the skills of competitors. Some contestants fell off their horses and were injured or even killed on the spot.
The owners of chariots and horses are often the richest slave owners. They want to win the championship, but they are afraid of being injured and killed. Therefore, slaves are often asked to drive and ride horses on their behalf. If they win, the olive crown will be worn on the owner's head, and the real competitors can only get a meager reward from the owner.