Olympic Games were invented by ancient Greeks in 776 BCE. The first Games debuted in Olympia Greece, at a sanctuary site for Greek deities. A foot race, stadion, until 724 BCE.
Hoplite Race (Hoplitodromos)
Year: 520 BCE
Still Played: No
Equipment: Hoplite armour, helmet, shield, grieves on tracks
Number of Competitors: 20
Pankration
Year: 648 BCE
Still Played: No
Equipment: None, bare combat sport
Number of Competitors: 2 in each match. 4 rounds with 16 athletes
Four-Horse Chariot Racing (Tethrippon)
Year: 680 BCE
Still Played: No
Equipment: Chariots and horses; event took place at Hippodrome
Number of Competitors: Unknown
Boxing (Pygmachia)
Year: 688 BCE
Still Played: Yes
Equipment: Ox hide leather wraps called himantes and oxys
Number of Competitors: 2 in each match
Pentathlon (Discus Toss, Javelin, Long Jump, Stadion, Wrestling)
Year: 708 BCE
Still Played: Discus, javelin, long jump, men’s decathlon, women’s heptathlon exist.
Equipment: Discus, javelins, halteres and stadion track
Number of Competitors: Unknown
Long Distance Running (Dolichos)
Year: 720 BCE
Still Played: Yes, 5000 meter race
Equipment: None
Number of Competitors: 20
Still have all my Greek Olympics tickets saved, so precious!