Stadium at Olympia

The Stadium at Olympia, east of the sanctuary of Zeus, hosted the athletic competitions of the ancient Olympic Games from 776 BC onward. It evolved through three phases: an Archaic stadium within the Altis, a second relocated eastward, and the final Classical form (5th century BC) with a track measuring 192.28 m by 30.74 m. Spectators -- estimated at 40,000 -- sat on earthen embankments, with stone seats reserved only for judges (hellanodikai). The late Hellenistic Crypte tunnel served as the athletes' entrance. Excavation was completed in 1960 and the site holds UNESCO World Heritage status since 1989.