The first modern Olympics were held in Athens in 1896. In the 130 years since, the Olympic and Paralympic Games have become the world’s largest secular event. Australians are immensely proud of their participation in – and hosting of – modern Olympics. Impressive as this history is, it is still only a small part of a much older and longer story. The ancient Greeks staged Olympics for 1,000 years. Their Games attracted sports stars from right across the 1,000 Greek states of the Mediterranean basin. With 40,000 spectators, theirs were also the world’s largest event.
Greek workmen and German archaeologists excavate the temple of Zeus Olympios during the 1870s. [Photo courtesy of the German Archaeological Institute. Photographers: The Rhomaidis brothers]
The Hellenic Republic has made the historic decision to loan Australia priceless artifacts illustrating the ancient Olympics for the 2032 Summer Olympics. Greece rarely makes such a loan. The first time that it did so was for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This time, Greece is offering Australia twice as many artifacts. Of the 100 or so artifacts in the loan for 2032 there will be many more from Olympia – the site of the ancient Games for 1,000 years.
