The Nemean Games

Peloponnese

 The Nemean Games, like the Olympic Games, take place every four years but, unlike the Olympics, anyone can apply to take part and run in the original stadium.

Boys running in the Nemean Games in Greece

Everyone knows the Olympic Games, but there were several other regular sporting events held by the ancient Greeks, including the Nemean Games. Like the Olympics, these too live on, although without the worldwide fame of the Olympics. However, unlike the Olympics, anyone can apply to join in the Nemean Games.

Nemea is in the northeast Peloponnese, between Corinth and Nafplion. Here the original Nemean Games took place, and here they are re-created every four years. Sadly due to COVID-19 the 2020 games were postponed until 2021.

History of the Nemean Games

The Nemean Games usually take place in June and, like the Olympics, were held in honour of Zeus, and have been dated back to the 6th century BC. They have not, though, adopted the ancient Olympic practice of requiring contestants to run naked. If you get to participate you'll do so wearing a conventional ancient Greek outfit of chiton, or tunic, and zoni, or belt, as will the judges and other officials.

The games were revived in 1994 by archaeologists and volunteers from the University of Berkeley, California, who were working on the Temple of Zeus at the site of ancient Nemea. They became interested in the games that were held there, and inevitably someone wondered if they might be revived, like the Olympics but on a much smaller and more local scale. 

About 10,000 people turn up for the two-day event, and hundreds participate in the races, which are divided according to sex and age, with 12 runners in each race. The races are all over a standard length of 100 metres (109.361 yards). The original Olympic Games only had one running event, which was to run the length of the stadium, but gradually other events were introduced. The Nemean Games stick to the original notion of just one standard-length race for all.

Nemean Games Stadium in Greece

Athletes assemble in the locker room, or apodyterion, which has only partly survived, so a tent of the same size is erected over the top to complete the building. A judge, dressed in black, enters to collect each group of runners and, as in the old days, he will be carrying an olive branch. This is not a symbol of peace but will be used to beat anyone who breaks the rules or disobeys his orders.

Contestants then run in the same stadium and on the same track that was used more than 2,500 years ago. At the original games the winners were awarded a wreath made from wild celery leaves from Argos, but today's winners receive a palm branch, a ribbon, a pin, a T-shirt, and a place at the victors' dinner.

How to Join in the Nemean Games

To join in the games you must register your interest two months before the event on the official website: https://nemeangames.org/

See our other Peloponnese pages...

  • Mycenae

    Mycenae in the Greek Peloponnese was a royal palace and is famous for the royal tombs, Lion Gate, and was excavated by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann.

  • Peloponnese: Travel Information about the Peloponnese in Greece

    The Peloponnese in Greece has such sights as Olympia, Mycenae, the Mani, Nafplion, Corinth and Epidavros.

  • Nafplion

    Nafplion in the Peloponnese was the Greek capital before Athens and today is a charming waterfront town with good restaurants, museums, shopping, beaches, old fortresses and a delightful atmosphere.

  • Mystra

    The ruined Byzantine city of Mystra sits on the top and the slopes of a hill that juts out from the plain and is one of the most remarkable places in Greece.

  • Monemvasia

    Monemvasia in the Peloponnese is the Greek Rock of Gibraltar and is a huge offshore rock which conceals a tiny town connected to the mainland by a single road.

  • Monemvasia Book Review

    Greece Travel Secrets reviews the photography book Monemvasia with extracts from works by Yiannis Ritsos and Nikos Kazantzakis.

  • The Mani

    The Mani in the south of the Peloponnese is the most southerly part of the Greek mainland and famous for its rugged landscape, feuds, and tower houses.

  • Ancient Olympia

    Travel guide to Ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese of mainland Greece, home to the original Olympic Games.

  • Epidavros

    The ancient theatre at Epidavros is one of Greece's greatest attractions, ranking alongside the Acropolis and the Palace at Knossos in Crete, and it is easily the finest theatre in Greece.

  • Corinth

    Corinth has four aspects to it, which are the Corinth canal, the modern town of Corinth, nearby Ancient Corinth, and above that Akrokorinthos or Upper Corinth.

  • Bradt Guide to the Peloponnese

    The Bradt Guide to the Peloponnese is the best book on the Greek region which includes attractions like Mycenae, Epidavros, Olympia, Monemvasia and Nafplion.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Greece Looking to Open to Travelers from the United States

    The United States is one of the markets that Greece is eyeing to form a travel arrangement that will open up tourism between the two countries this year.

    Read More

  2. Restaurants in Greece Expected to Re-open for Outdoor Service After Easter

    Restaurants and other food and beverage (F&B) establishments in Greece will most likely be allowed to re-open and serve customers initially outdoors after the Easter holiday, Greek Deputy Development…

    Read More

  3. Norwegian Cruise Line to Sail the Greek Islands in July

    Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is planning to restart operations this summer with sailings to the Caribbean and the Greek islands.

    Read More

  4. Greeks and Tourists will Abide by Same Covid-19 Rules, Says Tourism Minister

    Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis on Monday clarified that any safety and health rules that apply to Greek citizens – such as mandatory mask wearing and social distancing – will also apply to tourists…

    Read More

  5. Celestyal Getting Ready to Offer Safe Cruise Experiences from May

    Celestyal Cruises is speeding up procedures for the restart of sailings on May 29, aiming to provide its guests with carefree holidays to the Greek islands and the Eastern Mediterranean.

    Read More

  6. Greece will Open for Tourism with ‘Five Lines of Defence’ Against Covid-19

    Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis said Greece has set up five lines of defence against the coronavirus (Covid-19) in order to open for tourism safely this year.

    Read More

  7. Greece Unsure About Easing Lockdown Measures for Easter

    Greek Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos on Monday told SKAI radio that it is “too soon” to discuss if lockdown restrictions would be eased in Greece in time for the Easter holiday. T…

    Read More

  8. Piraeus Port Authority to Create New Park, Bike Lane

    The Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) has announced plans to undertake the construction of a new playground and a bicycle lane at the port of Piraeus.

    Read More

  9. Culture Ministry: Summer Operating Hours for Archaeological Sites, Museums

    The Ministry of Culture has announced the summer operating hours of archaeological sites and museums across Greece. According to a ministry announcement, the opening hours of archaeological sites, mon…

    Read More

  10. The Guardian Selects 10 Crowd-free Greek Islands and Coastlines

    The Guardian recently announced its selection of 10 crowd-free Greek islands and coastlines that can offer travelers “a taste of true Greek culture”. According to the British newspaper, with the end o…

    Read More