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Nike, goddess of Victory Greek, around 550 BC
Statue of an athleteStatue of an athlete
Sport in ancient Greece
Victory and prizes
Nike (actually pronounced Nee-kay) was the ancient Greek goddess of victory. The greatest victory for an athlete was to win the Olympic crown, the prize for each event winner in the Olympics. The crown was a wreath of wild olive cut from the tree sacred to Zeus, the god of the Games, and the winners would perhaps receive their rewards in the temple of Zeus.
The athlete shown in the statue underneath is tying on a victory ribbon. Ribbons and palm branches were also given to winners in athletics contests.