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!
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