This year, the Winter Olympics in Sochi will be an event filled with exciting sports and breathtaking stunts. But have you ever thought about what the first Olympic Games in ancient Greek history were like? With fans, not gathered around a television screen, but all sitting and watching first-hand the events about to unfold. Think about it, watching some of the strongest men in the world throw weights and men on the ground, tanks crash into each other in an attempt to place first. Now, keep these images in mind as I walk you through a day at the Olympics. You will learn that the ancient Olympic Games were a religious event full of spectacular, breathtaking sports, and subsequently became a global event enjoyed by millions today. Before you enter the Games, here are a few things you need to know. The Olympic Games are played on the plains of Olympia in Greece, located in the western part of the Peloponnese (olympic.org). The first Games ever played took place in 776 BC (Hornblower) and are said to have been founded by Pelpos (olympic.org) in Elis, Greece (The Britannica Encyclopedia Editors). Also the Olympic Games, every four years (britannica.com), were played between August and September (Schbel 53). So, before the Games begin, there is a procession that travels thirty-six miles from Elis, Greece, to Olympia, Greece (Faulkner 195). The procession included the judges, the Olympic council, the heralds, etc., then the athletes, floats, horses, etc. (Faulkner 195). The first day of the Olympics begins with an opening ceremony (Faulkner 197). During the opening ceremony, all athletes participating in the Games swore on slices of wild boar meat that they would uphold...... middle of paper ...... ochi Olympics. It was a time of celebration, competition and honor. They will live on in our hearts as one of the most spectacular events in ancient history. Works Cited Durant, John. “Highlights of the Olympic Games”. New York (city of publication not given): Hastings House Publishers, 1961. The Britannica Encyclopedia Editors.ed. “Elis” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Britannica Online. Internet. January 7, 2014. Faulkner, Neil. “A Visitor’s Guide to the Ancient Olympic Games.” New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2012. Hornblower, Simon “Ancient Greek Civilization (Historic Region, Eurasia)” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2012. Britannica Online. Internet. January 7, 2014. Schobel, Heinz. “The Ancient Olympic Games”. Princeton: D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 1965. “Ancient Olympic Games.” Online. http://www.olympic.org/ancient-olympic-games January 9, 2014.