Masters compete in Greek cousin of Olympics — Nemean Games
Recollections are circulating about the mid-June Nemean Games, held at the site of the original Greek event. One is from M65 sprinter Larry Lettieri and another from a gent about the same age named Tony Diamantidis. Larry writes: “The site was one of the four original Olympic venues. Dug up over the past 20 or so years by archeologist Stephen Miller. Friends of ours are involved in the organization that supports his work, which is how we got involved. It’s held every 4 years as they do the Olympics. There were 1,500 runners in the 90M in the stadium. We ran in age groups. Somehow my back (ruptured disc in December) held up. The start is crazy. The ‘blocks’ are grooves cut in stone and there’s a starting rope that drops down in front of you when the ‘Go’ command (in Greek) is given.” The event was shot by “60 Minutes Sports” and may air soon. Tony posted his story on Facebook. A video shows him winning the 12-lane dirt race, barefoot and in toga. (At least they didn’t have to run nekkid.) So mark your calendars for 2020, your next chance for Nemean glory.
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Larry responded to a query Wednesday and said the segment aired on Showtime Oct. 4. He added:
As you cited in your story, my wife and I were visiting friends who have a house in Greece, not far from the town of Nemea, where the archeological dig has been going on for a while and the site of the stadium and athletes’ quarters, temple, etc. It’s the most complete of the ancient Olympic sites. I don’t know how 60 Minutes got wind of the event but when our friends mentioned I was competing and do a fair share of competing in the U.S., the producers decided to make me a part of the bigger story. “Ancient U.S. Runner Competes in Ancient Oly Games,” that sort of thing. So, I did a short sit-down with Mark Phillips, the reporter, and they followed me around and did some B-roll and then taped my race, which thankfully, I won.
All that aside, it was a special experience, taking the ancient athlete’s oath to compete fairly, then walking through the tunnel into the track, where thousands of years ago athletes did the same, some leaving their marks on the walls. As you noted, the start was unlike anything any of us have ever done. But the track surface, soft clay that had been carefully tended to, was really quite easy on my bare feet. It had rained the night before, so the event was delayed about an hour to give the surface a chance to dry some, but it was still a little muddy and several runners ended up on their butts.
Winners were given ribbons for our heads and then a palm frond, which we kept with us for the day. At the evening closing ceremony we were announced as winners to the crowd and stood as a group before the flame. In all, it was very inspiring!
Then we all went out for an awesome Greek dinner and wine.
Anyone can enter the games. There’s no entry fee. They run in age groups. They provide the togas!
Oh my goodness! Sign me up! This video is so wonderful, the music, the scenery, the runners in white togas. Please let us know the details for the next one or who to contact to get on the mailing list. I have added this to my bucket list. Thanks for today’s inspiration!
Yep, they competed nude and ran two sprints (178 & 355 meters), one middle distance race (710 m), one long distance race and one race in full armor. To me, the pentathlon is of most interest as three events are still contested in our modern day pentathlon (discus, javelin, long jump). I think I must have contacted the organizers three times but wanted to race like the ancient athletes did, naked. They turned me down each times, those prudes. It’s a wonderful venue, totally cool. But adhering to ancient dress codes would make it an even better event. (Oh, women participated in the horse races as owners and owners made the news, not the jockeys.)
RIta-
It was truly a wonderful event. I’d do it again. For the next games, just stay on top of the website, the link for which Ken provided. Buy if you do plan to go, sign up early and find a place to stay quickly. Nemea is a small town with limited accommodations. But there are plenty of other towns just as interesting not too far from the venue
Too cool – goose bumps moments!
They are wearing tunics, not togas, which were a Roman fashion which Greeks did not wear. The toga was a large woolen cloak worn over a tunic, and a large fold of it had to be supported with the left arm. It was worn by Senators and other nobles as a status symbol: “I’m wealthy and important, so I do not need to keep both hands free to do work–that’s why I have servants.” Obviously, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to race while wearing a toga.
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