Stadion
A straight sprint of one stadium length, run naked on a dirt track. It was the only event at the first recorded Olympic Games in 776 BC.
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- Ancient · 776 BC
- ORIGIN
- Olympia, Greece
- PLAYERS
- Individual race
- EQUIPMENT
- None
- PLAYING AREA
- c. 192 m track
- DURATION
- One length
- GOVERNING BODY
- Ancient Olympics
- OLYMPIC
- Ancient Games
Key dates
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 776 BC | First recorded Olympic Games — stadion is the only event |
| 724 BC | Diaulos (two lengths) added |
| 720 BC | Dolichos (long race) added |
| 708 BC | Pentathlon and wrestling added |
| 393 AD | Traditional date for the end of the ancient Games |
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance | One stadium length (about 192 m at Olympia) |
| Start | Stone sill with grooves for the toes |
| Direction | Straight — no bends |
| Prize | Olive wreath |
How the race worked
Runners lined up at a stone starting sill and sprinted the length of the stadium. The length varied by venue because a stadion was a unit of 600 local feet.
Why it mattered
The stadion winner gave his name to that Olympiad, so the race became a way of counting years in Greek history.
How we know
Lists of Olympic victors compiled in antiquity, the excavated stadium at Olympia, and vase paintings of sprinters.
Run a Stadion tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — Single sprint.
FAQ
How long was the stadion race?
One stadium length — about 192 metres at Olympia, slightly different at other venues.
Who won the first Olympic stadion?
Ancient victor lists name Coroebus of Elis as the winner in 776 BC.
Is the word stadium from stadion?
Yes. The race, the unit of length and the venue all share the name.