INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

In conclusion, we could make some points on the importance of
sports in antiquity and the close connection of virtue with athletics.
The whole creation of Greek antiquity is inspired by athletic ideals.
The principle of “well-fighting” is a diffusion of this vibration, a
breath of life, animation caused by the agones. The distinction in
virtue – a natural human desire – brings honour and this creates the
emulation, the agon.
Athletics as an institutional activity is an explicitly Greek creation.
Initially in the context of religious or burial festivals, they gradually
form a part of social life, education for the young, chances for cultural
and political gatherings 46 , as well as the principal bond of the
Panhellenes 47 .
The predominant feature of the games, at least until the Roman
era, remains the pursuit of virtue. The idea of victory – not just simple
participation, as later declared by P. de Coubertin – is the motive
power of athletic effort. On the other hand, virtue remains a constant
motivation and conquest of contest nearly in every level of public and
private life and is strongly connected with the concept of sports. To
the Persian king Mardonius, who was informed by Greek defectors in
his court that the prize in Olympia is not money but just a wreath of
wild-olive tree, Tigranes replied: “The Greeks fight for virtue” 48 !
Virtue wedded to sport forms an ideal in the Greek code of values.
This ideal, enlarged in the myth-making Greek thought and blessed by
the acts of gods and heroes, will later become the most vivid heritage,
a Greek and a global institution and will be preserved as the Olympic
idea until nowadays.
Today, in athletic or any other type of contest in life, we should
not forget what the goal of the whole athletic procedure in antiquity
was, aretê. It was there to motivate efforts, preserve moderation, and
activate physical and intellectual forces. The ancient Greek
civilisation has, consequently, become synonymous for athletics and
agonistic spirit. And it was aretê, which has always been in this agon
a noble motive and an honoured conquest.
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