BFF Time Travelers 4:The Ancient Greek Olympic Games

Hi,Zeus

"This is the very first day of the games,"Plato told Daniel and Mason, "the day of the chariot races." "Oh,wow," whispered Mason. He couldn't believe he and Daniel were going to see a chariot race. The modern Olympic Games didn't have chariot races. They walked toward the race track. Plato pointed to a large building. "That is the gymnasium. It is where our athletes train. They practice running and throwing the javelin and discus," he said. "We have a gymnasium at our school in Tolland. We call it a gym," said Daniel. "People all over the world copy us Greeks," said Plato. As they moved along, Plato pointed to a beautiful tree nearby. "The olive tree is sacred. The winners of the games will wear crowns made from their branches," he said.  "Cool," said Mason. "Awesome,"said Daniel. Next they saw a statue of a winged lady. "Who's that?"asked Mason. "Nike,the goddess of victory," said Plato. "Nike is important to the games. But the most important Olympic god is in there,"he said. He took Mason and Daniel to a brick building with huge columns. They stepped through the door. It was a temple. Daniel and Mason gasped. In front of them was the biggest statue they had seen. The statue was at least two stories high. It was a bearded man sitting on a throne. "This is the temple of Zeus. And that is a statue of Zeus himself. The Olympic Games are played in his honor. He is the chief god of all the Greek gods and goddesses," said Plato. "Holy guacamole," whispered Daniel. "Yesterday all the athletes came here. They swore to Zeus that they had trained for ten months and they promised to obey the rules of the games,"said Plato. The statue of the mighty Greek god stared down at Mason and Daniel.  They felt small. "Hi Zeus," said Mason and Daniel. Suddenly, trumpet sounds blared from outside. "We must hurry! The Olympic parade has begun!" said Plato.