April 6, 1896

On This Date in TWISTED-HISTORY.com in 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Many of the better known events were held, like the marathon, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, and swimming. But there was one event that did not use the same rules as ancient Greece or even modern rules, and that was the wrestling event. In ancient Greece, both wrestlers fought naked and there weren’t any penalties for grabbing the opponents junk, as long as you let go within a reasonable amount of time. In the Olympics held in 1896 the wrestlers competed while wearing clothes and there was definitely a penalty for grabbing below the belt, but there were no weight classes. A 200 pound man could wrestle and 150 pound man and it was considered fair. Now, there are weight classes so a heavier man wouldn’t be matched against a much lighter man, and all wrestlers wear the appropriate gear.

About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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