Antique Collector - Sport & Games Antiques |
The Ancient Olympic Games, originally referred to as simply the Olympic Games were a series of athletic competitions held between various city-states of Ancient Greece. They began in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, and were celebrated until 393 AD. The prizes were olive wreaths, palm branches, woollen ribbons and the respect of the city.
You probably know the story of James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens (pictured right)(1913–1980). He was an American track and field athlete, who participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump, and as part of the 4x100 meter relay team. His treatment at home was typical of the racial tension that existed in America at that time.
Thankfully, the world has come full circle and now we realize what an inspiration athletes like Jesse Owens, Roger Bannister, Mark Spitz and now Michael Phelps, are to the Olympic and sporting movements of all countries.
