Sports in Ancient Greece
After the Persian king Xerxes had been defeated at Thermopylae (480 B.C.) some Arcadian deserters came slouching around. He had them questioned about the doings of the Greeks and he was told that they were celebrating the Olympic festivals with athletic contests and games. He inquired what prize they were contending for. When informed that it was an olive wreath, he was truly astonished and exclaimed to his general. The winner at Lexington (and the syndicate that owns the horse) and at Indianapolis (and the syndicate that owns the car) are certainly in it for a little more than the media coverage. The reality of Herodotus? idealistic athletes during a time in battle is undercut by plenty of evidence of what normally happened once winners returned home ? the athlete?s focusing on fame and prowess, being not entirely a modern hero, has origins in all likelihood as old as those of the wreath itself.