What sports did ancient athletes play? The very first Olympics had just ONE event: a running race called the stade, about 192 meters long. Our word 'stadium' comes from it! The first recorded champion was a cook named Coroebus.
Over the years, more events were added. There was wrestling, boxing, long jump, and throwing contests with the javelin (a spear) and the discus (a heavy disc). The pentathlon combined five events to find the best all-around athlete!
The most exciting event was the chariot race. Teams of four horses pulled small two-wheeled carts around a track at top speed. Crashes were common, and the crowds went wild! There were no team sports like soccer — every athlete competed alone for glory.
1. What was the only event at the very first Olympics?
2. How many events were in the pentathlon?
3. Why was the chariot race so exciting?
Write the letter that matches: A = a running race, B = throwing a spear, C = throwing a heavy disc, D = horses pulling carts, E = five events in one.
| Event | Match (A–E) |
|---|---|
| Javelin | |
| Stade | |
| Chariot race | |
| Pentathlon | |
| Discus |
1. The first Olympic event was a race called the .
2. Our word comes from that race's name.
3. A was a cart pulled by four horses.
4. The combined five different events.
5. The was a spear for throwing.
You need: a safe open space and a grown-up.
Hold your own mini-pentathlon with 5 events: (1) a short sprint, (2) long jump, (3) throw a soft ball for distance, (4) hop on one foot as far as you can, (5) balance on one leg the longest. Record your results below!
| Event | My result |
|---|---|
| Sprint | |
| Long jump | |
| Ball throw | |
| Hopping | |
| Balance |
1. Which ancient Olympic event would you be best at? Why?