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The Olympic Games were at first an one-day event till 684 BC, after which it became a three-day event. Again, after the 5th century BC, it changed into a five-day event. In the traditional Olympic Games , any kind of game related to running was given significance. The first game in the Olympiad was the “Stade race”, a run of approximately 190 meters. All 5 of them were considered advantageous for wars also and the coaching for them was a part of the army practice.

The sportsmen who used to challenge in the pentathlon were thought to be extraordinarily skillful. Except Wrestling, the rest 4 were held at the Stadion or the stadium. The Stade or Stadion race was an old foot race about 180 meters to 2 hundred meter long. The place it was conducted was known as Stadion ; from that the British word stadium was derived. It was massive and at a time about 20 sportsmen could run. On the blow of the trumpet, the runner stood in the standing position with their arms stretched out, unlike today’s runners who take the crouch position when about to start. Officers used to stand at the start and at the end to see to it that there were no fake starts or any kind of cheating. In the case of a tie, there used to be a re-run. Any runner who broke the guidelines was punished.

The winner of the Stadion race was the champ of the full Olympic Games . The Diaulos race consisted of 2 Stades and was 4 hundred meter long. The Dolichos race consisted of 7 to 20 4 Stades. Sportsmen of Javelin Throw, rather than holding the shaft of the Javelin itself, used leather strap called Amentum. Javelin was a spear like rod sometimes made out of metal and wood. In Discus Throw, the Discus was made from stone, iron, bronze or lead. This game is the same as the modern freestyle Discus Throw. 5 throws were permitted to the Discus and Javelin Throw sportsmen and the longest one was counted. In the Long Jump, the participator to launch her or him and to extend the range of jump used weights called halters. The weights were held until the end of the jump and at the end they were ejected backwards. The jumps consisted of 5 different jumps, which is more like the modern triple jump.

Here, too, the players were given 5 attempts and the longest jump was considered. The Wrestling Ring was a sand pit and was held outside of the Church of Zeus.

It had been a game of great army significance as it was combated without weapons.

The winner was announced when the adversary admits defeat. The fighters at first wrapped Himantes or soft straps, made out of Ox Hide, around their fingers, knuckles, and wrists to be ready to give a firm punch. Later on the straps became hard which caused major wounds. The Sphairai were like Himantes and had pads within to guard the knuckles, but on the outside they were actually hard.

After that Oxys were used which had many thick leather bands wrapped round the hand and forearms. The leather braces covered the entire hand in order to give a more robust punch. The word Pankration came from 2 other words, pan and kratos. It appeared to be a mixture of fighting and wrestling.

At that point, this was one of the toughest sports. The Equestrian events consisted of chariot and pony races and were conducted in a flat and giant open space, called Hippodrome. In both, there had been great danger to both the driver and the pony, as there was a massive likelihood of getting wounded, which might even lead to death. The winner of these events was rewarded with a slave lady and a Cauldron ( a giant vessel ).

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