Most of the evidence we have for athletics comes from painted pots, mainly from Athens. We have no painted scenes of the Olympic Games as such. With the exception of the Panathaenaic amphoras, most of the scenes on the pots are probably of athletes or even ordinary Greek citizens in training. This selection of pots shows most of the main athletic events which one could expect to see at a festival.

A prize amphora

From the Panathenaic games at Athens, showing a chariot race. Also see the video in More information.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/c/chariot_race_prize_amphora.aspx

A Panathenaic amphora showing a horse-race

Notice the goddess Athena on the other side.

See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/attic-panathenaic-amphora/jwEoXm6RycWtFA

A Panathenaic amphora showing wrestlers

See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/panathenaic-prize-amphora-signed-by-the-potter-kittos/VQG9anhaKm83Mg

A runner

We can tell he is a sprinter from his pose. Follow the second link to a pot showing distance runners.

See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/fikellura-style-amphora-with-a-running-man/CwElWYranFSHoA

A drinking cup with a pankration training scene

Use the second link to see the other side. Also see the video in More information.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=399793&partId=1&searchText=pankration+&page=1

A drinking cup showing the race in armour

The preparation and the race can be seen in the other views.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?searchText=hoplitodromos&images=true&ILINK|34484,|assetId=277534&objectId=399624&partId=1

A pot with boxers and wrestlers

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=399798&partId=1&searchText=black-figure+boxing&images=true&page=1