1 Comment.

Comment 31 Aug 2004^ at 08:14Z

Oh, the amateur, non-commercial version of the Olympics was perhaps but a short aberation (and even then, it was depressingly political and state-subsidied).

Seems even the games in antiquity were very much for profit. Winners were awarded large amounts of olive oil, which made them effectively millionaires for life – they could buy villa, slaves, and the usual perks of the well-to-do.

Presumably, crass commercial interests surrounded the original event as well. It's been described as the "Woodstock" gathering of the day, and everyone wanted to hawk their wares to the crowds gathered in the middle of nowhere.

And advertising as such is not a modern invention.... – Bo Leuf</div>