Stadium at Olympia
The stadium at the archaeological site of Olympia, Greece, is located to the east of the sanctuary of Zeus. It was the location of many of the sporting events at the Ancient Olympic Games.
The First Stadium | |
 | |
| |
| Location | Olympia, Greece |
|---|---|
| Owner | Athens, Greece |
| Capacity | 45,000 |
| Surface | Grass, Stones, dirt |
| Closed | 776 BC through 393 AD |
| Tenants | |
| 2004 Summer Olympics Panhellenic Games | |
History
During the 2004 Summer Olympics, it hosted the shot put events.[1][2]
Features
The physical landmarks of the stadium are 212.54 m (697.3 ft) long and 30–34 m (98–112 ft) wide, and it served mainly for running races that determined the fastest person in the world. The track was made of hard-packed clay to serve as traction for the contestants in the running events.[3] As in current day athletics, a white block was placed on one end of the track where the athletes would line up to place their feet and got ready to start of the race.[4] The white block was used to align all the athletes so they would all run the same distance.[3]
Gallery
The vaulted tunnel leading into the stadium
The 'exedra' (stone platform) on which the judges sat, located on the south bank of the stadium
Stadium at Olympia
White blocks where athletes would place their feet and get ready for their race
References
- "Flame for Rio Olympics is lit at birthplace of ancient Games". Arab News. Riyadh. Associated Press. 21 April 2016.
...the ceremony continued in the ancient stadium — which was used at the 2004 Athens Games as the shot put venue.
- "Ancient and modern Shot put revisits Olympia". The Guardian. London. 19 August 2004. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- "Ancient Stadium". www.olympia-greece.org. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- Cartwright, Mark (24 April 2012). "Starting Blocks, Olympia". Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
External links
Media related to Stadium of Olympia at Wikimedia Commons
