May 30th, 2025: Wrapping Up the Olympic Odyssey

 

Today marked the end of an unforgettable chapter: our last day on the Olympic Odyssey trip. It’s hard to believe how fast time flew. From city to city, stadium to stadium, we’ve explored the legacy of the Olympics in ways that textbooks could never explain. And fittingly, we closed it all out in the birthplace of the Games, Greece.

Our day started with a visit to the 2004 Olympic Stadium in Athens and then part of the OAKA (Athens Olympic Sports Complex). It was surreal stepping into a venue that once buzzed with global energy just two decades ago. We got to walk the track, and for a brief moment, I imagined what it must have felt like to compete under the roar of a crowd. Seeing the torch used for that year up close added another layer of depth. It's one thing to see it in pictures, but witnessing it in person? Unforgettable.

What really stood out at the 2004 site was learning about the scale of their aquatic facilities, that being thirteen swimming pools. Thirteen! That number blew my mind. It made me think about the scale of preparation and planning that goes into hosting a global event like the Olympics.

But with all that glory comes an important conversation: venue sustainability. We had a group discussion right there in OAKA about the challenges of maintaining Olympic facilities after the spotlight fades. Many cities, including Athens, have struggled with the long-term upkeep and relevance of their venues. We talked about ideas like repurposing venues for public use (turning facilities into local centers), hosting concerts or community events in large arenas, or even turning parts of the stadiums into museums or education centers. It’s something I hadn’t given much thought to before this trip, but it’s clear how crucial sustainability is for the Olympic legacy.

Next, we visited the Panathenaic Stadium, and wow, just wow. The stadium is built entirely from marble and has this timeless beauty that makes you feel like you’re walking through history. Inside, there’s a small but fascinating museum dedicated to the Olympic torch and its design over the years. I was honestly mesmerized. My favorites? The Rio 2016 torch, I loved its colorful, wave-like design and Sydney 2000 was sleek and elegant. Beijing 2008 definitely gets an honorable mention too; it looked like something out of a martial arts movie. We even got to take pictures on the Olympic podium right on the field. It was such a full-circle moment, imagining ourselves as champions in the same spot that once honored real ones. It was the perfect blend of fun and awe.

After all that walking, I needed a break. So I took full advantage of our midday free time to catch up on some much-needed sleep. I planned to attend the beach with my mates, but after I woke up, I didn’t even feel bad about it, self-care!

The evening wrapped up with our final group dinner :( , and the vibes were just right. We went to a cozy Italian restaurant, and I started with a super fresh Caesar salad. For the main course, I had paccheri pasta with beef cheeks, and let me tell you—it was chef’s kiss. Perfect way to end the trip on a high (and full) note.

And just before the night ended, we celebrated the start of Kami’s birthday at midnight. Happy Birthday, Kami!! What a special way to kick it off, surrounded by friends in Athens, with full bellies and full hearts.

This journey has been everything! Educational, exhausting, and exciting. I’ve walked where legends once stood, learned from people shaping the future of sport, and made memories I’ll carry forever. The Olympic Odyssey may be over, but its impact? That’s here to stay.

5/29: Athens Siteseeing and Beach

  Today was our first full day in Athens, and it was a very busy day. We started our day with some breakfast from the hotel before leaving. We meet with our tour guide Angel in the lobby and headed out to catch our bus. Our first stop today was Marathon. When we finally reached Marathon. Out first stop was an old pillar that used to be grounds for war. Angel gave us a brief history of the attacks that occured here, and the battle strategies that were used during these battles. He told us how the Greeks ended up becoming victorious with these effective methods, and even had us demonstrate as if we were the soldiers. After this, we got back on the bus and headed to a burial site of the warriors that were in that fight. There was a drastic difference in casualties compared to both sides. 193 Athenian soldiers were buried in the mound at the site we visited, while thousands of enemy soldiers had been killed on the other side. It was a crazy comparison. We also learned that this area of Greece is called Marathon because the soldiers ran from here to Athens, which was 26.2 miles, which is the distance of a modern marathon today. In the 2004 Olympics, we athletes had run this exact distance and route that the soldiers had years ago. 

After these lessons, we headed to the beach. This was a very anticipated part of the trip, and was a very needed and relaxing time. It was good to lay down in the sun, and playing in the ocean with everyone was very enjoyable. Here we got some lunch as well. The water at the beach too was also very nice.  We stayed here for a few hours before heading back on the bus to our hotel. 

After some time to get ready, we met back up with our guide and took a tour of Acropolis. This site was beautiful. We got to see the Parathenon and other sites and learned the history of why this place was called Athens. This is because the gods Poesiden and Athena were in content for the city, and gave gifts to the citizens so they could choose. The gift that Athena had given them was an olive tree, which we got to view next to a monument. After some discussion and site seeing of the beautiful view of the city, we headed down to the museum. We took a quick tour of this museum, but it housed a bunch of relics and sites that came from the acropolis. 

After some history lessons. We headed to dinner. At dinner, we got to eat on the balcony of one of the ladies we met when we first entered Greece. We got to meet another abroad student here, and enjoyed an amazing dinner along with an amazing view. We had some home cooked snacks that we all enjoyed. After all this, we headed back to the hotel  and enjoyed the remainder of the night. 

Back To Where It All Started (Olympia, Greece)

After a long travel day, we finally made it to Olympia—one of the destinations I was most excited about. The day started extremely early. One thing I’ve learned while living abroad is that access to workout equipment can be hit or miss, and this hotel was no exception. Determined to stick to my routine, I got in a quick hotel room workout before heading to breakfast. We were greeted with a typical Greek spread: fresh Greek salad, baguettes and cheese, and delicious crepes. Once we fueled up, it was time to head out and explore.

Our first stop was Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Walking through the archaeological site, I was struck by how this area was both an immense sports complex and a deeply spiritual place. The space featured temples, statues dedicated to Zeus, and what were essentially early Olympic villages—including bath houses, training areas, and venues for the various events. I found it fascinating to learn how the architecture evolved with time. The different column styles throughout the ruins symbolized the eras of different conquerors who once ruled the area. We also saw how additions were made over time as the Games developed, adding new dimensions to the site.

Next, we visited the Ancient Olympia Archaeological Museum, where we deepened our understanding of what we had just seen. I was surprised to learn that the ancient Olympic Games lasted for nearly 1,200 years—from 776 B.C. until around A.D. 393. Originally, the games included only one event (a running race) and lasted just a single day. By the 37th Olympiad, chariot racing had been introduced, extending the games to two days. Eventually, the program expanded to include wrestling, boxing, pentathlon, and more, evolving into a five-day event. One of the most impactful aspects was the “Sacred Truce,” a period of peace where all Greek conflicts ceased before, during, and immediately after the Games to allow for fair and safe competition. The organization of the Games was overseen by the Eleians, acting like an ancient version of the IOC.

We also learned more about the religious significance of the Games and the sanctuary of Zeus. Olympia was considered sacred ground, and over 6,000 dedications to Zeus have been uncovered there. His most iconic representation was a massive gold and ivory statue, holding a scepter in one hand and Nike—the goddess of victory—in the other. The statue symbolized Zeus’s role as the lord of the world and judge of all contests, making it clear why the Games were held in his honor.

One part that stood out to me was learning about the role of women in the ancient Games. Women were banned from participating in or even watching the Olympic Games, with the exception of the priestess Demeter Chamyne (allowed for religious reasons) and Kallipateira of Rhodes, who disguised herself to watch her son compete. Women instead had their own competition, the Heraia Games, held in honor of Hera. These events were fewer in number (on non-Olympic years) and primarily consisted of footraces.

After wrapping up our museum tour, we returned to downtown Olympia to eat lunch and shop around before returning to Athens. Although we were all eager to be back in the bustling city, the bus ride gave us time to decompress and catch up on homework. That evening, we finished the day with a traditional Greek dinner—souvlaki, Greek paella, flatbread, salad, and other Mediterranean dishes. So far, Greek cuisine has definitely been my favorite of the trip!

5/28: Olympic Ruins Exploration

• Today was one of the most interesting and meaningful days of the trip. Today, we took a 15-minute bus ride to the Olympic ruins of Olympia. Which houses some of the oldest ruins that give us an idea of what the Ancient Olympic Games used to look like. Filled with temples of different gods as well as training centers for the athletes, this area of Olympia used to be the center of the ancient Olympic Games. People from all the different city-states in Greece as well as some outsiders from other countries came to compete in the other games that the Greeks put on. If you were victorious in the games you would receive a headband made out of olive branches from the original Athena's olive tree which was seen as a great honor to many Greeks during that time. They would also name the years after you to help keep track of time. For example, if I had won the ancient Olympics three years in a row the years would have been named Josh 1, 2, and 3. Everything about this trip to Olympia was very eye-opening as I did not know much about the ancient Olympic Games until then. To try and channel our own Ancient Olympic spirit we took to the same race track the ancient Olympians used to try and see who would win the games. I did not take part in the run as I did not want to hurt myself but my friends had a great time battling it out. I also learned about the sexism that took place during the games as women were not able to watch the games and if they were caught they were sentenced to death. Because of this rule, women did not take much interest in the Olympics as they wanted to preserve their lives so the cities of Greece created something called the Hera games, which was a similar type of games to the Olympics but with fewer games and an emphasis on more feminine sports. Even though there were some women who stayed far away from the Olympics there were some who resisted and actually ended up winning the Ancient Olympic Games. This entire trip to the Ancient Olympic ruins was very interesting and enlightening to me on how the Olympics we know and love today got to where it is today. It was not always perfect and did not have the same values as we do today but everything has to start somewhere. After our long and academic trip to the ancient Olympic ruins, we traveled to the center of town and had a great Greek lunch filled with classic Greek dishes such as gyros.

5/28 Olympia Ruins and Museums

 Today was our full day in Greece and our only day in Olympia. We started our day with a light breakfast from the hotel we were staying at and then headed to our first site. We began at the archaeological sites of Olympia. The archaeological site of Olympia, located in the western Peloponnese region of Greece, is one of the most significant sanctuaries of ancient Greece and the original location of the Olympic Games. It also contributed as a religious center for Zeus, the king of all Greek Gods. There were many remains of old temples and structures. At one point, there was a Temple of Zeus that was once named one of the seven wonders of the world.  This place was a common ground between all ancient Greek cities, where they got to compete in the form of Olympic games. We viewed sites like the race track where Greeks used to run under a large stadium. We raced on the track just like the athletes would have centuries ago. We also saw the remains of what used to be a gymnasium where athletes would practice for the games and perform some events. This structure was half of what it used to be, unfortunately. We saw the old bathrooms, the echo stoa, the palaestra, and the temple of Zeus.  Fun fact is that the OCOG used to be located in one of the ruins as well. There was not much left of these places, but seeing the remains was pretty cool. It, unfortunately, fell to ruins by the Roman Empire but was revisited and brought back to life in the 1800s when the Olympics were re-created. 

After viewing some of these sites, we took a walk to some of the museums linked with the archeological sites. In these museums, we got some history about some of the objects used in the games. We saw statues that used to be in the temples and learned the significance behind the different eras and sides of the games. Some important statues included that of Zeus, Hera, and Hermes as they all had very important roles in the ancient Olympic games. We also saw a layout of what Olympia used to look like, and every structure that we had previously mentioned we got to see in full. There were also important gear like weapons and helmets that showed the lifestyle of the athletes and Greek people. My favorite statue was the disc thrower, as we talked about this statue on the trip and it was the first one I had seen. 

After the museums, we went to get some food and shop in the local shops. We got some authentic Greek food which was amazing, and we all got some gifts from the stores. After, we met back up with our bus driver and departed for the long and awaited trip to Athens for the remainder of the trip. We ended with some late dinner and had a full day of fun for our first day in Athens tomorrow!

5/27 - Travel Day!

Today was all about travel. We were downstairs by 7:15 to catch our train to the Geneva Airport, and it was clear that most of us weren't fully awake. Basically everyone slept on the train, trying to get a little more sleep before the rest of our day. Once we arrived at the airport, we checked our bags pretty easily and got through security with plenty of time to spare. There was some confusion about our gate, as there were two flights at 11:30 going to Athens and they switched our gate, but we found our plane and boarded right on time. The flight was quick, but the views were amazing. There were very few clouds in the sky, meaning we could see what we were flying over the whole time. In the beginning, we got some incredible views of the Swiss Alps, and it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. As we got closer to Athens, we had some amazing views of the different islands that make up the country. The air was so clear, and the Mediterranean was even clearer, which made the views all that more impressive.

 

 

 

Once we landed, we met with our travel guides, who brought us to the bus. We had a whole coach bus to ourselves, meaning we had plenty of space to lay out. We then departed from the airport to our first destination, Olympia. The home of the ancient Olympics was about a four-hour drive from Athens, so I got some work done on the outline we had to complete for our research paper. My paper focuses on sportswashing, a term that describes countries attempting to cover up their faults by manipulating public perception through sports. The issues these countries are dealing with harm their image and impede their interests, so they invest in sports to distract audiences from their faults. Some historical examples of sportswashing taking place are the 1934 World Cup (hosted by Fascist Italy) and the 1936 Olympics (hosted by Nazi Germany). Both these countries tried to confuse audiences by manipulating information to make themselves look better than they were. Recently, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China have all been suspected of sportswashing to cover up various human rights issues, which I plan to explore heavily in my paper.

I completed most of my outline before we reached our first stop, the Corinth Canal. Built in the 1890s, the canal cuts through the Isthmus (a word I didn't know existed before today) of Corinth and connects the Peloponnese Peninsula with mainland Greece.
 

After this, we drove a bit more before stopping at a restaurant. I cannot tell you what the place was called (because it was super Greek, and I have no clue), but the food was super tasty and very filling. It was very traditional Greek cuisine, with chicken skewers and pork platters, and it was all so amazing. After dinner, most people fell asleep for the final part of the bus ride before we finally arrived at our hotel in Olympia. It was a long and exhausting travel day, but the views were incredible, the food fantastic, and the sites will be well worth it tomorrow. I can't wait to see what Olympia has in store! 

May 26 - World Aquatics, CAS, & IOC!!!!

Another business casual day started off hectic as our fearless leader Dr. Kim gave us the wrong wakeup time the night before and then at 6am in the morning she texted us saying we needed to be ready an hour earlier than what we were told! Somehow it was the one day we were all on time shockingly, but some of us did have to scarf down our breakfast to make it out on time. We took a long uphill walk to World Aquatics which is in this beautiful house which I thought was pretty cool. We had a discussion with Executive Director Brent Nowicki, Sport Director Pere Miro, and Senior Manager of Digital Content and Events Luca Fasani. We discussed various things such as the difference between sports in America and Europe, the workings of World Aquatics, and their upcoming championships in North America in a few months. Nowicki was also an upstate native which was fun to make that connection to all of us since he is from Buffalo, New York.

Our meeting with World Aquatics did run over from what we expected so we were running late to our next meeting with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which was a far walk away. So, we hopped in some Ubers to make it to our next presentation. We arrived at CAS where we were greeted by William Sternheimer who is the Manager of Training and Education for CAS. He gave us a presentation on the history of CAS where he dived deeper into the beginning of why the sporting world needed CAS to determine rulings on sport related violations. We also learned about some of the most notable cases which varied in topics and learned about the two different types of cases which can be filed. After our presentation he showed us what a hearing room looked like which is basically a meeting room with many TVs so everyone can see if you’re online. Then he took us to a terrace which had a beautiful view of the city, Lake Geneva and the Alps.

Because we were running late in our meetings lunch was a very quick stop at the Coop store for grab and go lunch to eat on the run. For how cheap the food is it's pretty good quality coming from a grocery store as I had a pesto pasta salad and a spicy salmon onigiri. We hopped on the subway and ate our lunch before walking over near the Olympic Museum for our final stop of the day at the Olympic Study Center. We had 3 people speak to us in total about different sectors of the International Olympic Committee. We first spoke to Sinead Dowling on the Olympic Solidarity group which handles primarily the upholding of the Olympic Values and fund allocations for National Olympic Committees. Then Jocelin Sebastiani spoke to us about the processes of the Olympics regarding more event management and the host cities, while also touching on previous points on Olympic Solidarity. And then Diego Girod spoke to us about the archives and books that we have access to in the Olympic Study Center. He showed us some old artifacts from the first Paris Olympics and the smallest book in the Olympic collection.

Afterwards we accidentally left Luke and Rory at the subway station because they were too slow getting on the train. We went back to the hotel where we rested for a bit and then walked down to the beach to swim in Lake Geneva. The lake was pretty cold but we were able to have fun in the water and refresh ourselves. I then decided to do a solo dinner where I had a warm bowl of ramen after swimming in the cold lake before packing up my room for us to head to Greece!