Were the Ancient Greek Athletes Tougher Than Today's Olympians?

Variations in preparation also make it difficult to compare ancient and modern Olympic prowess. Ancient Greeks trained specifically for the games for only a few months, and they may not have practiced individual events much during that time. The philosopher and physician Galen recommended playing catch, sometimes while riding on the shoulders of a fellow athlete. Weightlifting was rare because the trainers worried about overdeveloping certain muscles and creating an imbalance in strength. Athletes experimented with a wide variety of diets, including meat-, cheese-, and fig-heavy regimens. Bizarre elixirs were common, and most athletes seem to have used ?cursing tablets? to hex their opponents before the games commenced. One aspect of training hasn?t changed: The ancients fiercely debated the value of sexual abstinence during the days before competition.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=84bc1f906e053263bc18daf501af4300

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