ZAP’S FACTS!
ANCIENT

Athletes in the ancient Olympics competed completely naked.

The first Olympic Games started in 776 BCE in Greece - and the word "gymnasium" comes from a Greek word meaning "to train naked."

2 min read
Athletes in the ancient Olympics competed completely naked.
THE FULL STORY

The first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece in 776 BCE - that’s nearly 2,800 years ago. They took place every four years at a sacred site called Olympia, just like today. But almost everything else was different. There was no Olympic flag, no torch relay, and definitely no team uniforms.

Athletes competed completely naked. The word “gymnasium” comes from the Greek word gymnos, meaning “naked,” because that’s how Greeks trained. Events included running, wrestling, boxing, javelin and chariot racing. Winners didn’t get gold, silver or bronze. They got a wreath made of wild olive leaves - and lifelong fame back in their home city.

The ancient Olympics ran for nearly 1,200 years until the Roman emperor Theodosius I banned them in 393 CE because he thought they were too connected to the old Greek gods. The modern Olympics weren’t restarted until 1896 - but thankfully with clothes on.

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