The ancient Olympic Games were played as part of a religious festival, dedicated to Zeus.

Although some local festivals did have torch relays, including the one in Athens, scholars say they were not a part of the ceremonies at Olympia. Olympia did have an eternal flame, however, which was used to light sacrificial fires. The torch ceremony as we know it today is a combination of these two traditions, and was introduced at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.

The priestess of the goddess Demeter watched the Olympic Games from her seat in the temple of the goddess, on the eastern side of the stadium. She was given this privilege because a temple dedicated to this goddess had existed in the town from time immemorial.

Although the athletes prepared for many months before the games, often following strict diets and rigorous training schedules, the Greeks believed the men could not succeed without the blessing of the gods. The athletes had to swear before the statue of Zeus Horkios, the God of Oaths, that they would compete honorably; and they left symbolic offerings on altars to Hercules, Hermes, Nike, and other gods.

The women's Games, which were called the Heraia, were held every four years in honour of the goddess Hera, the wife of Zeus.

Sometime in the 4th century the statue was transported to a palace in Constantinople, where it was later destroyed in a fire.

Animal sacrifice was central to pagan practice, and this rite, held outside the Temple of Zeus, was one of the most important ceremonies in Olympia. The ritual was followed by a massive feast.

In a single edict, Holy Roman Emperor Theodosius, who was afraid of the continuing popularity of pagan festivals, ended the Games.

Baron de Coubertin was once quoted as saying, "The first essential characteristic of the Olympics...is to be a religion."

The official Olympic motto was coined by Dominican Father Henri Didon in an 1891 speech to the members of a sports association.

The medals portray Nike as if she is flying in to the Olympic stadium to crown the victors.