With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Hitler’s lasting Olympic legacy

Olympia did have an eternal flame. It was kept burning for Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth.

And Olympia did have another big flame. Coinciding with the full moon, they sacrificed 100 white oxen on a grand altar and then barbecued them for the spectators.

Other Ancient Greek cities had Lampadedromia, a torch race, as part of their festivals - in Athens, young men raced a relay, keeping flaming reeds from the narthew plant alight.

But the lighting of the Olympic flame? Hitler.

Read entire article at FOX News