INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

the good citizen 14 and even a fine is expected for anyone who is not
trying to become as better as possible 15 . Sometimes in Sparta this
strife becomes a real quarrel in the form of boxing! 16
It is then made clear that virtue is an element of emulation and
competition. And, as Aristotle points out: “Victory is pleasant, not
only to those who love to conquer, but to all. For there is produced an
idea of superiority, which all with more or less eagerness desire “ 17 . It
is also a point of everyday practice, a lifelong exercise and the
codification of an educational system, which is in principle aiming at
the prosperity and fame of the state. In the context of the Hellenic
city-state – polis – (of classical times), where the attribute of being a
“citizen” is the most important personal characteristic, democratic
Athens institutes virtue awards for its citizens. Pericles concludes his
Funeral Oration for the first dead of the Peloponnesian War like this:
“And where the rewards for merit are greatest, there are found the
best citizens “ 18 . Consequently, virtue is promoted by the polis as a
motivation for the citizens to show off – each one at one’s field, of
course. Thus, virtue becomes a prize that strengthens the agonistic
spirit and promotes the prosperity of the citizens in the state and for
the benefit of the state.
The fact that virtue is a choice and way of life, a continuous
contest, is most vividly expressed in the myth of Hercules. He is
considered to have been one of the mythical founders of the Olympic
games 19 , which were initially organised within the framework of the
religious festivals 20 in honour of his father Zeus in Olympia.
The myth is told by Prodicus the sophist in Xenophon’s
Memorabilia 21 . Hercules, in the critical moment of decision on which
of the two paths to follow in his life, is facing both the personified
figures of Virtue and Vice. The way of Virtue is rough, full of
obstacles and “athloi”, whereas the way of Vice is easy and attractive.
Moreover, Virtue in this myth urges Hercules to struggle hard “with
hard labours”. This advice is consistent with the one about the
acquisition of goods: “From those which are good and nice, nothing is
given to people by gods without hard work and care” 22 . Indeed,
Hercules thanks to his labours and his route on the path of Virtue was
distinguished as the most eminent Panhellenic good hero 23 . He
became a model for each period of time: a model for leaders, who
work for the mankind and a model for ordinary people, who hope to
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