Religion at the Olympics, from ancient Greece to London

[rug]

Chris Lisee | Jul 24, 2012

(RNS) A 600-foot footrace was the only athletic event at the first Olympics, a festival held in 776 B.C. and dedicated to Zeus, the chief Greek god.

For the next millennium, Greeks gathered every four years in Olympia to honor Zeus through sports, sacrifices and hymns. The five-day festival brought the Greek world together in devotion to one deity.

What began in ancient Greece as a festival to honor a single god, Zeus, has now become an almost Olympian task, as organizers of the games navigate dozens of sacred fasts, religious rituals and holy days.

The London Olympics will try to accommodate religious athletes with 193 chaplains, a prayer room in every venue and a multifaith center in the Olympic Village.

http://www.religionnews.com/culture/sports/religion-at-the-olympics-from-ancient-Greece-to-London

[mr blur]

1. Who cares? None of it will make any difference to the outcome of the games. nt

[trotsky]

2. Dupe.

Your second in the last few days. Check the current threads before you post a new one, rug.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/121837635