How old are the Olympic Games, and what were they originally like?

The answer

The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BCE at Olympia, Greece, and were held every four years for nearly 12 centuries until 393 CE when Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned them as a pagan festival. Athletes competed nude (the Greek word gymnos means 'naked'), and events included wrestling, chariot racing, and the pankration - a brutal mix of boxing and wrestling with virtually no rules. Women were barred not only from competing but from even watching, on penalty of death.