Modern Olympians might not compete naked or offer blood tributes to the gods. But there are a number of rituals you'll see at this year's Games that carry ancient religious roots.
Every four years, the Olympic Games are watched by billions of people around the world, who marvel at the athletes' extraordinary abilities.
For example, ancient athletes would swear an oath before competing to follow the rules and compete with honour and respect. It's a tradition that persists at the modern Olympic Games. Even the word "ascetic" — used to describe acts of religious self-discipline — is derived from the Greek word "to exercise", Professor Karalis explains.The ancient Olympic Games continued for centuries, until they were outlawed in 393AD by the early Christian Roman Emperor Theodosius I.Father Pengelley explains that Theodosius, like many Christians in the early Church, was influenced by the writings of Saint Paul.
French aristocrat, educator and co-founder of the International Olympic Committee, Baron Pierre de Coubertin is widely credited as the father of the modern Olympics.Father Pengelley explains that Coubertin had an epiphany at the gravesite of Thomas Arnold, the famed principal of Rugby School. "Coubertin believed that the revival of the Olympic Games would counteract this idea of endless progress that we had in that period."
"We've had World Wars, pandemics, we've had countries come and go … but throughout this time, the Olympics has found a way to still remain relevant," she says.
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