From Zeus to the Olympics

Forget medals, stadiums, and national anthems. The first Olympic Games had none of

that. What they had was naked men, divine favor, and the desperate

hope to stop a war. <break time="2.5s" /> This is the story of how a small religious festival in a forgotten valley became a

global phenomenon, survived a 1,500-year ban, and evolved from a tribute to Zeus

into the planet's greatest celebration of human potential. <break time="12.0s" /> It began in 776 BCE,

not as a sport spectacle, but as a religious ritual. Olympia was a sanctuary to Zeus,

king of the gods. The games were part of a festival to honor him. The first and only

event for decades was the stadion: a sprint of about 192 meters, the length of the