The Olympic Games

OVERVIEW

Join us on the journey to exploring the significance of nutrition and sports in ancient Greece. This historic route provides educational and experiential seminars and workshops regarding the history of sports practices and the Mediterranean (Athletic) Diet. Walk with us through time to the origins of the ancient Olympic Games and other notable sports events to learn about ancient athletic practices, as well as participate in games and the preparation of Mediterranean meals. Discover how the legacies of ancient games and nutrition remain alive today in the world of contemporary sports and the Mediterranean cuisine as you experience unique presentations and practice routines for some of the sports that ancient Greek athletes competed in.

Available throughout the year, upon request



OVERVIEW

Join us on the journey to exploring the significance of nutrition and sports in ancient Greece. This historic route provides educational and experiential seminars and workshops regarding the history of sports practices and the Mediterranean (Athletic) Diet. Walk with us through time to the origins of the ancient Olympic Games and other notable sports events to learn about ancient athletic practices, as well as participate in games and the preparation of Mediterranean meals. Discover how the legacies of ancient games and nutrition remain alive today in the world of contemporary sports and the Mediterranean cuisine as you experience unique presentations and practice routines for some of the sports that ancient Greek athletes competed in.

Available throughout the year, upon request



THE SYLLABUS

Olympic Games and Sanctuaries in Ancient Greece

The Olympic Games was the most important of the four ancient Greek sports festivals. They were held in honour of Zeus, the king of the gods, and their importance is signified by their mythological origin as well as their use as a unit of time (Olympiad). The theoretical part of the module encourages students to seek the origins of sports events, focusing mainly on the ancient Olympic Games. The module provides information about the venues, the conditions that prevailed in each region, and the importance of winning as the highest honour attributed to an athlete. In the practical part of the module, students will become acquainted with ancient sports through a demonstration of techniques and improvised games, and will have to unique opportunity to take part in training routines for some of these sports.

History of the Modern Olympic Games

The modern Olympic Games are the brainchild of a determined French educator, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who envisioned the rebirth of the quintessential ancient athletic competition. The purpose of the module is for students to familiarize themselves with the history of the modern Olympic Games, not just through the eyes of an athlete, but also through the scope of society, by combining an examination of notable sport feats with the sociopolitical issues of each time period from 1896 to the present day. This theoretical approach will be combined with a practical application of techniques employed by participants in various sports of the modern Olympic Games, leading to a more holistic experience.

Mediterranean diet – from ancient to modern Greece

The Mediterranean diet has gained widespread recognition for its health benefits and was recently added by UNESCO on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This module will provide participants with an overview of the Mediterranean Diet and its evolution throughout the centuries. In the introductory part of the module, students will learn about the eating habits of ancient Greeks, their methods of food preservation and consumption, and their utensils. The module will also highlight the connection between an athlete’s diet in antiquity and their participation in sporting events. In the interactive component of the module, participants will prepare and taste traditional Mediterranean dishes. Finally, there will be a comprehensive reference to the contemporary Mediterranean diet and its health benefits.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the foremost masterpieces of Classical Greece, the eternal Parthenon and the exquisite Acropolis of Athens

• Explore the places where the Panhellenic Games of ancient Greece were held, Isthmia, Nemea and Delphi

• Trace the origins of the Olympic Games at ancient Greece’s most significant religious and athletic centre, the sublime Olympia

• Visit fascinating archaeological museums, such as the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum and the stunning Archaeological Museum of Olympia, guided by highly-qualified, licensed archaeologists

• Indulge yourself in the most influential athletic and cultural event of antiquity; the Olympic Games, through intriguing, on-site seminars and workshops by enthusiastic lecturers

• Participate in unique practice sessions designed around the training practices of ancient Greek Olympic athletes


PERKS & OPTIONS

What is included in our programs?

  • 3 US credits provided by the Hellenic American University
  • Accommodation in hand-picked and well-located superior class hotels
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Professionals e.g. licensed guides, lecturers, and tour managers
  • Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites
  • All land and sea transportation included in the itinerary of the specific program
  • Information material
  • Local taxes
  • Travel insurance
  • Transport to and from the airport in Greece

Optional

  • Airfares to and from Greece
  • Any custom request