In ancient Greece, the Olympics comprised fewer events than those in the modern games. True or False?

True. In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were significantly different from the modern Olympic Games and comprised fewer events. The ancient Olympics began in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, and were held every four years for nearly 12 centuries. Initially, the only event was the stadion race, a short sprint of about 192 meters. Over time, more events were added, but the total number still remained much smaller than the number of events in the modern Olympics. Other events included wrestling, boxing, pankration (a form of martial art), long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, and chariot racing, among a few others.

Extra: In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were held in honor of the god Zeus, and only free-born Greek men were allowed to compete. The ancient Olympics also had a different purpose compared to the modern games; they were as much a religious festival as an athletic event. Unlike today's international camaraderie, the ancient games were often a display of Greek city-state rivalries. They served as a peaceful meeting ground where politics and hostilities were put aside, albeit temporarily, during the period of the games, which was referred to as the Olympic truce. This tradition of pausing conflicts has, in some ways, been one of the enduring legacies of the Olympic Games even into modern times, promoting peace and cooperation through sport on an international stage. The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 and were based on the spirit and some of the events of the ancient games, but they have since evolved to include a much broader range of sport disciplines and are now open to athletes from all over the world, regardless of gender.