Transformation Of The Olympic Games

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Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named Hippodamia, whom all the young men of Greece wished to marry. Unfortunately for them Hippodamia’s father, King CEnomaus enjoyed spoiling himself of the gifts of the men suiting his daughter. Once he had enough, he declared that whomever of the suitors could take Hippodamia in his chariot and escape the wrath of himself and his royal spear could take her hand in marriage. Thirteen young suitors tried their luck, but their efforts were quickly and painfully ended with the royal spear of the King. The fourteenth suitor, Pelops used bribery and deceit to eliminate the King and win over his beautiful bride. Pelops bribed the charioteer to toy with the axle of the King’s chariot resulting in the disablement of his vehicle during the chase and death of the King. This infamous chariot race was held at Olympia in Elis, on this blessed ground is where he introduced the games and religious rites as a celebration for his victories (1). The Olympic Games are now held for a different reason and we no longer celebrate them in this way, but this is their story of origin. The Olympic Games have gone through a transformation from their story of origin to the games that we compete in today, but have continued through times of peace, war, devastation, and always been revered and kept peaceful with the omission of politics throughout the centuries they have been held. In Ancient Greece the Olympic Games were much smaller scale and were a strictly domestic production beginning in 776 B.C. with only one event, as they continued however, aliens were admitted into the games, substantially decreasing the religious and patriotic value of the Olympics until the temples were raided and razed by Theodosius I a... ... middle of paper ... ...he people and disrupting the peace. In conclusion, the modern Olympic Games have continued through many trying times and are able to connect the world on a level that can only be reached through the unity of the athletic events without the separation of race, color, gender, or political views. The ancient Games religiously based and modest, gradually growing larger and decreasing and value. The revival of the Olympic Games abandoned the religious aspect but increased importance and value while uniting the world. The Olympic Games are an outlet for all the countries of the world to take place in friendly competition and be a part of a bigger world while still demonstrating patriotism to their own country without considering their political views or crisis. As the world grows and evolves the Olympics will always remain an important aspect of the world we live in.

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