were the ancient games better than ours? More fair and square? More about sports and less about money? Are modern games more sexist? More political? Have we strayed from the ancient Olympic ideal?

During this Olympic season, you may hear from announcers, critics, commentators and even athletes that the Olympic games are too commercial, too political, too "professional." Or that the judging is too nationalistic.

It's easy to assume that the ancient Olympic Games were different, that ancient Greek athletes were pure in mind and body, that they trained and competed for no other reason than the love of physical exercise, fair competition and to honor their gods.

But is this really true? well, No.

In fact, politics, nationalism, commercialism and athletics were intimately related in the ancient Olympic Games.

We may not realize it, but in today's games we recreate --with surprising accuracy -- the climate and circumstances surrounding the ancient Olympic Games.

For more information regarding the Ancient Olympics, check out these sites outside the Museum (will open in a new browser window):

• "Holy Games; The Olympic Games are Rooted in Religion, Holy Games" Salt Lake Tribune, February 3, 2001
• "Exposed: Great Olympic Myths" Sunday Times of London, September 29, 2000
• "Sexploitation or Pride? Female Olympians' Revealing Poses Stir Debate" Newhouse News Service, September 15 2001
• "Poets, Bronc Riders Bring Own Brand of Competition to Cultural Olympiad" Salt Lake Tribune, May 1, 2000
• "Coaxing Oly Competitors to Wax Poetic" Salt Lake Tribune, June 17, 2000
• "The Guy Who Ate a Cow and Other Olympic Stars" New York Times, July 14, 1996
• "Meeting the Threat" deseretnews.com, September 30, 2001