Ken Conklin
In October 2009 my wife and I along with some friends (another Daleville couple) visited the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games took place. We were enjoying an off-ship excursion to this historic site during a Mediterranean cruise.
The Temple of Hera is where eleven women representing the Vestal Virgins start the fire that ultimately becomes the flame at the Olympics. The modern Olympic Games began in Athens in 1896 and have continued, with a few exceptions, every four years. Many aspects of the Olympics have been altered over the years in response to the economic, political and technological pressures of the time.