The revival of the Nemean Games began in 1996 and theyare repeated every four years ever since. The Nemean Games were athletic competitions held in the ancient times in Nemea, since 573 BC. Along with the Isthmian Games, the Pythian Games, and the Olympic Games, they formed the circle of the sacred Panhellenic Games of ancient times. They were established in 573 BC in honor of the little Opheltes who died from a snake bite and were held every two years. What played a crucial part in the revival of the Games was the excavation of the ancient stadium by Professor Stefanos Miller, from 1974 to 1991.
In the Nemean Games, no record was kept and no rewards were given. Participants compete in running races barefoot, wearing only a white robe that resembles the ancient robe, and are divided by gender and age. They enter the stadium from the ancient vaulted entrance and follow the same procedure as they would in ancient times for the completion of the game. The winners are tied a ribbon on their heads and receive a palm branch as a reward. At the end of the day they are crowned with a wreath of wild celery, symbol of the ephemeral character of their victory. See more :
