Greece - Olympia
The first Olympic Games were held here in 776 B.C. Originally built to be the great Sanctuary of Zeus, Olympia was the home of yet another 7 Wonders of the World, the great statue of Zeus. Unfortunately, war (asshats) and a number of severe earthquakes have reduced the site to rubble. I visited Olympia during a 2-week tour of Italy and Greece in late 2000. These are my pictures.
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In the 6th century BC, the great weightlifter Bybon lifted this 316 lb sandstone weight over his head with one hand
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Statue of an Olympic champion once stood on this pedestal
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Statues of the winners were made, and placed on these pedestals
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The ancient track. The starting blocks are still in the ground there, in the foreground
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The Temple of Zeus - Remains of the great pediment on the front of the temple
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The Temple of Zeus - Remains of the great pediment on the front of the temple
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The Temple of Zeus - Remains of the great pediment on the front of the temple
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The Temple of Zeus - Remains of the great pediment on the front of the temple
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