Who competed in Ancient Greek Olympics? - Info sheet

The Olympic Games of Ancient Greece were an exclusive affair with strict rules regarding attendance and participation. The events were primarily open to men, boys, and unmarried girls. Married women, however, faced a strict ban and the severe consequence of being thrown off a mountain if they were caught attempting to attend. Despite this, women could participate indirectly by owning horses and competing in chariot races, an exception to the otherwise stringent exclusion.

Unmarried women had the opportunity to compete in their own festival known as the Heraia, which was held every four years at Olympia in honour of Hera, the wife of Zeus. The victors of the Heraia were honoured similarly to their male counterparts, receiving crowns woven from sacred olive branches. Among the Greek city-states, Spartan women stood out for their genuine interest in sports, contrasting with the broader Greek societal norms of the time. There are even tales of a mother so eager to see her son compete that she disguised herself as a man to bypass the prohibition on married women at the Games.