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Sports: The History of the Olympic Games
Posted August 15, 2008 9:13 AM
How Stuff Works piqued my curiosity as to the history of the Olympics, including how and where it all got started, and why. I'll keep the history lesson brief, but it is important to note that one of the reasons it all got started was to bring nations together in peace and that still seems to be at the core of our modern Olympics. This is a tradition that continues fifteen hundred years, and scores of generations later. Back in the sixth century, the athletes were normal tradesmen in the ancient Greek world. Every four years they would make the trek to Olympia with the goal of creating clout and social status through their victory. Not much has changed since then. Except, of course, for the millions of dollars and the front of a Wheaties cereal box.
Back then it wasn't all about winning. The primary purpose was to build diplomacy across the Greek world and to honor Zeus. Funny enough, the man who started it all ws a legendary guy named Pelops, the grandson of Zeus. He was a mighty warrior and a great Olympic athlete. Hmm...anyone thinking about reincarnation right now? Pelops...great Olympic athlete and great competitor...Michael Phelps twelve hundred years later. Pelops...Phelps...Phelps Pelops. Heir of Zeus himself possibly, that would explain a few things.
Lastly, we love the camaraderie that these Olympic games represent. In the name of peace, we would love to raise one of our awesome, personalized Steins and toast with you and the rest of the world for, what else...world peace! And when we're done drinking let's visit our Guyville store, so we can share with you why we are truly the leaders in personalized gifts for men.
