The Chariot Race

A legend retold by Diane Lane

Story 3

32

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People all over the world like and play sports. Do you play any sport? Do you have a favorite sport? Sports bring people together; for example, big families like to play soccer or baseball. Others, like to get together with friends and race or go hiking. And others, love Xtreme sports such as parachuting and others. Have you seen or heard people saying: "Hurry up! I want to get home and watch the game", or "let's turn on the radio to hear the baseball game"? and when the sports narrators start describing the event, people are engaged and excited, happy or sad, nervous or furious but, the magic of the narration allows people to enjoy the game even if you're not there. A true example is the Olympic Games. But, how did the Olympic Games start? How was the narration then? Will sports broadcast be the same centuries from now? Glossary

broadcast: (n.) a program transmitted on TV, radio or internet.

Glossary

chariot: (n.) a two-wheeled vehicle that was used in ancient times for racing and fighting and was pulled by a horse or horses.

There was once a King in Greece who had a beautiful daughter; but a prophecy said that he would die on the day of his daughter’s marriage. This was quite a problem! But the king had a clever solution. He said that only a man who could beat him in a chariot race could marry his daughter. If the man lost, he would lose his life.

Glossary

beat: (v.) to defeat or do better than someone. ‘My daughter will never marry and I will be safe,’ the king thought. This was because he had a magic chariot and two horses faster than the wind. Nobody could beat him! But his daughter was very beautiful, so some young men agreed to the race.

Twelve men had already died when a young prince called Pelops arrived in town. Pelops and Hippodamia – for that was the name of the king’s daughter – met, and instantly fell in love. A chariot race was organized!

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The day before the race, Pelops stood on the sea shore, he knew he needed some help. Luckily, Pelops had a powerful friend – the Sea God Poseidon!

‘Please Poseidon, help me now. I can’t win without your help!’ said Pelops. At that moment he heard a roaring sound, and out of the water came two beautiful winged horses pulling a chariot! Glossary

roaring: (v. gerund) to produce a full strange, loud prolonged sound.

Pelops was nervous. Could he really win the race? He looked at the excited crowds and at the King. The king was smiling and confident!

The king at once recognized Poseidon’s winged horses, but his two magic horses were unbeatable. ‘I will give you a head start’, he announced. ‘I will sacrifice an ox to Zeus, and catch you up later.’ Glossary

unbeatable: (adj.) to possess qualities for nothing or no one to win over it.

And so Pelops started on his way. He was going really fast! He was nearly at the finish line! Then, he heard the king’s chariot coming up behind him! Oh no! The king was overtaking him!

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It was then that the god Poseidon came to his friend’s rescue again! He caused the wheels of the royal chariot to come off! The king flew out of the broken chariot and hit his head on the rocks. He was dead!

And that was how Pelops came to marry Hippodamia and became a King and a hero. But, that’s not quite the end of the story. What is the connection between this story and sports?

Pelops, in honor of Poseidon organized a chariot race. Afterwards, games were held in honor of the gods. Soon other sporting events were added, like running and javelin throwing. These games were the first Olympic games.

So the next time you watch the Olympics or any other sports event, think of Pelops and his winged horses and how people enjoyed the narration of the event in the good old days. Chariots are now racing cars; we don't use coliseums any more, but stadiums and great narrations are done over the Internet. How will these broadcasts be in the future? Be sure that no matter time, narrating a sports event will keep bringing people together and making the event come alive!

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