Sacred Truce (Hieri Ekecheiria)
The Greek word ekecheiria derives from the words ἔχω (to have, being in possession of) + χείρ (hand) which literally means “holding of hands”
In the 8th c. BC, King Iphitos of Elis, the wise lawgiver Lycurgus of Sparta and the tyrant of Pisa Cleisthenes signed the first Sacred Truce that turned the territory of ancient Olympia into an inviolable and neutral zone. The Truce was announced one month before the Games began and lasted one month after their end, allowing both the athletes and the spectators to travel. The content of the Sacred Truce was inscribed on a bronze discus, known as the “discus of Iphitos”, kept in the opisthodomos of the temple of Hera. A statue of the personification of Ekecheiria was installed in the pronaos of the temple of Zeus, depicted crowning Iphitos.

Εὖ ἀγωνίζεσθαι (eu agonizesthai) - Fair play

Before the Games, the athletes swore an oath to compete honestly and honourably observing the rules, and to pursue victory always adhering to the dictates of fair play.

Καλὸς κἀγαθός (kalos kagathos) - Beautiful and virtuous

For the ancient Greeks, physical exercise and moral cultivation were interrelated concepts forming an essential element of their education.

With these ideals, both athletes and spectators from every corner of the Greek world met at the sacred land of Olympia, amid an atmosphere of unity and equality, in the greatest sports celebration staged in honour of the gods and for people’s pleasure.