Ancient Greek Olympic Sports

Boxers wrapped straps (himantes) around their hands to strengthen their wrists and steady their fingers. Initially, these straps were soft but, as time progressed, boxers started using hard leather straps, often causing disfigurement of their opponent's face.

The Equestrian events included horse races and chariot races and took place in the Hippodrome, a wide, flat, open space.

Athletes used stone or lead weights called halteres to increase the distance of a jump. They held onto the weights until the end of their flight, and then jettisoned them backwards. The discus was originally made of stone and later of iron, lead or bronze. The technique was very similar to today's freestyle discus throw. Wooden, the height of a man and with one end pointed, the javelin was the most clearly militaristic event on the entire programme at the Ancient Games.

This was a primitive form of martial art combining wrestling and boxing, and was considered to be one of the toughest sports. Greeks believed that it was founded by Theseus when he defeated the fierce Minotaur in the labyrinth.

Running contests included the stade race, which was the pre-eminent test of speed, covering the Olympia track from one end to the other (200m foot race), the diaulos (two stades - 400m foot race) and dolichos (ranging between 7 and 24 stades).

This was highly valued as a form of military exercise without weapons. It ended only when one of the contestants admitted defeat.