The Sanctuary Of Zeus at Olympia, Greece

Lying 186 miles west of

Athens, Olympia is the home of the original Olympic

Games, founded in 776 BC.

The remains of the running track lie adjacent to the sanctuary of Zeus, at the heart of which was the temple of Zeus that once housed the now- lost gold and ivory cult statue of the seated god. Marble architectural sculptures featured in the temple are on display in the on- site archaeological museum, as is a statue of Victory ( Nike). To the east of the sanctuary was the stadium, estimated to hold 45,000, where the athletics events took place. At the west end was the grooved starting line. The precinct contains bases for monuments celebrating athletes, although the bronze statues themselves are now lost.