JUST FOR A CROWN OF OLIVES

Sophia Sahinidou

The Olympic Games used to be held every 4 years in Olympia . Although they were called the Olympic Games, there were not only games but also ceremonies . They used to start in the summer, and lasted for seven days .

The first and the last days were offered to the gods . On the first day all the people used to take an oath and simultaneously they used to make sacrifices to the gods . The philosophers spoke to the people explaining their philosophies . On the second, third, fourth and fifth days there were track and field races , like races for running , horse races, throwing the discus and the famous Pacratium ( where the athletes risked their lives ) . On the seventh day , which was the conclusion , they made sacrifices for a second time . At the end of this day everybody had a great dinner .

During the Olympic Games all the cities were at peace and all of them used to send athletes to Olympia. Unfortunately , women were not allowed to take part . There was only one woman , Kallipateira , who watched a race. She was found out and taken to the Olympic Court , but as all the members of her family were Olympic winners , they did not punish her.

The winner was given a crown of olives, which used to mean a lot. His city was very proud of him, and when he came back the inhabitants of this town used to destroy a part of the city walls.

Nowadays the Olympic winners take medals and a lot money, but in ancient times the people used to be content with just a crown of olives.

Would you have taken part if you had been living at that time , just for a crown of olives ?

Sophia Sahinidou is a 16 year old student at the Fourth Lykeio in Katerini. She spent part of her summer holidays studying English at Edinburgh University, and has just passed the Cambridge FCE examination. Her interests include music and collecting model buildings. She is an enthusiastic supporter of The English Times of Katerini, and has contributed to every edition since the first in 1996.