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<P><BR>Writing a Summary<BR>The goal of this exercise is to be able to write a summary of the following article using around 130 words.</P>
<P> Of all the games held throughout Greece, those staged at Olympia in honor of Zeus are the most famous. The Games, like all Greek games, were an intrinsic part of a religious festival.  Held every four years between August 6 and September 19, they occupied such an important place in Greek life that time was measured by the interval between them --- an Olympiad.  Although the first Olympic champion listed in the records was one Coroebus of Elis, a cook, who won the sprint race in 776 BC, it is generally accepted that the Games were probably at least 500 years old at that time.  According to one legend they were founded by Heracles, son of Alcmene. <BR> The Games were held at Olympia in the city-state of Elis, on a track about 32 metres (35 yards) wide. The racing length was one stade, a distance of about 192 metres (210 yards) which was one length of the track.  At the meeting in 776 BC, there was apparently only one event, the stade, but other events were added over the ensuing decades. In 724 BC a two-length race, diaulos, roughly similar to the 400-metre race, was included and four years later the dolichos, a long-distance race possibly to be compared to the modern 1500-or even 5000-metre event, was added. Wrestling and the pentathlon were introduced in 708 BC. The latter was an all-around competition consisting of five events --- the long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, foot race, and wrestling.<BR> Boxing was introducing in 688 BC, and in 680 a chariot race. In 648 the pancratium, a kind of all-strength, or no-holds-barred, wrestling was included.  Kicking and hitting were allowed; only biting and gouging (thrusting a finger or thumb into an opponent's eye) were forbidden. Between 632 and 616 BC events for boys were introduced. And from time to time further events were added including contests for fully armed soldiers, for heralds, and for trumpeters. The program must have been as varied as that of the modem Olympics, although the athletics (track and field) events were limited: there was no high jumping in any form and no individual field event, except in the pentathlon.<BR> Until the 77th Olympiad (472 BC) all of the contests took place on one day; later they were spread, with, perhaps, some fluctuation, over four days, with a fifth devoted to the closing ceremony presentation of prizes and a banquet for the champions. Sources generally agree that women were not allowed as competitors or, except for the priestess of Demeter, as spectators. In most events, the athletes participated in the nude.<BR></P>