Program reforms and event additions at Olympia (c.8th century BCE–394 CE)

1. First recorded Olympics: single stadion race

   Jan 1, 776 BCELabels: Stadion, Olympia, Olympic Games

   • Britannica
   • AncientOG

2. Diaulos added, expanding running program

   Jan 1, 724 BCELabels: Diaulos, Olympia

   • AncientOG
   • Wikipedia

3. Dolichos introduced for long-distance running

   Jan 1, 720 BCELabels: Dolichos, Olympia

   • AncientOG
   • Wikipedia

4. Pentathlon and wrestling added as core events

   Jan 1, 708 BCELabels: Pentathlon, Wrestling, Olympia

   • AncientOG
   • Britannica

5. Boxing introduced, increasing combat sports

   Jan 1, 688 BCELabels: Boxing, Olympia

   • AncientOG
   • WorldHistory

6. Four-horse chariot race begins at Olympia

   Jan 1, 680 BCELabels: Tethrippon, Hippodrome, Olympia

   • GreekCultureMin
   • AncientOG

7. Pankration and horse race added

   Jan 1, 648 BCELabels: Pankration, Keles, Olympia

   • AncientOG
   • Britannica

8. Boys’ competitions added to the program

   Jan 1, 632 BCELabels: Boys' stadion, Boys' wrestling, Olympia

   • WorldHistory
   • Wikipedia

9. Hoplite race introduced: running in armor

   Jan 1, 520 BCELabels: Hoplitodromos, Olympia

   • WorldHistory
   • Getty

10. Mule-cart and mare races added, then later dropped

    Jan 1, 500 BCELabels: Apene, Calpe, Olympia

    • GreekCultureMin
    • Wikipedia

11. Elean Hellanodikai judges enforce Olympic rules

    Jan 1, 500 BCELabels: Hellanodikai, Elis

    • Britannica

12. Two-horse chariot race (synoris) added

    Jan 1, 408 BCELabels: Synoris, Hippodrome, Olympia

    • GreekCultureMin
    • Wikipedia

13. Heralds and trumpeters contests introduced

    Jan 1, 396 BCELabels: Kerykes, Salpinktai, Olympia

    • Olympedia
    • Wikipedia

14. Festival ends under Christian emperors (traditional date)

    Jan 1, 393Labels: Theodosius I, Christian emperors, Olympia

    • Britannica
    • Guinness