The Olympic Games are a leading sports event with thousands of athletes that participate in numerous contests. The spirit of the Olympics is the fair play and the emulation as well as the peaceful competition between the athletes and the nations. Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece. Apart from the ancient Olympics, Greece has hosted the modern Olympics in Athens twice, in 1896 and 2004. For all the above reasons, you should visit Greece if you are a big fan of these Games. In Olympia and Athens, you will explore their history from the Ancient Times until the present time.
1. Archaeological site of Olympia In western Peloponnese, in the valley of Alpheios River, is located the monument of ancient Olympia where the Olympic Games of the antiquity took place. Olympia was the most important athletic and religious centre of ancient Greece because of the Games, which owe their name to their birthplace. This great national festival was held every four years to honour Zeus. During the Games, there was a temporary truce between the states, and the soldiers, who were at the same time athletes, contested together as co-athletes and not as enemies. In the archaeological site of Olympia, you will see the sanctuary of Zeus and many buildings around it, which were used for the preparation and the celebration of the Olympics, such as athletic premises, administrative buildings and monuments. The most prominent of them are the Temples of Zeus and Hera, the Prytaneion, the Stoa, the Gymnasium and the Palaestra.
2. Panathenaic Stadium The Panathenaic Stadium in Athens is located on the site of the ancient Stadium of Herodes Atticus, and its history is connected with the history of the modern Olympic Games. The conceivers of the idea to revive the Olympic Games have chosen this Stadium for the major event. These Games were held on 25 March and concluded on 3 April 1896. In the Olympics in 2004, again in Athens, took place in this Stadium the contest of the archery and the finishing line of the Marathon Race.
3. The Olympic Stadium The Olympic Stadium is part of the Athens Olympic Sports Complex. It is located in the area of Maroussi, and it was renovated for the Summer Olympics in 2004. The most impressive thing in this Stadium is its roof, designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava. In the complex, you can also see the Indoor Hall, the Aquatic Centre, the Velodrome and the Tennis Centre.