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Training for the Ancient Olympics

Training for the Ancient Olympics
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   7

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    aleiptes, equestrian, gymnastes, paidotribes, pentathlon, rigorous, accompany, highly, sprint, agile, chariot, equally, actually, modern, certainly, trainer

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Training for the Ancient Olympics   
1     We all know that the modern day athletes at the Olympics are in incredible physical shape. They are strong, flexible, agile, and healthy. What were the athletes like during the ancient Olympics?
 
2     Well, competitors in the ancient Olympics also trained long and hard to be the best. Those who won in their particular fields were highly respected. In fact, everyone - no matter where they were from, admired them. An athlete trained with a trainer from the time he was a child. The three types of trainers were the paidotribes, the gymnastes, and the aleiptes. The physical trainers were called paidotribes. The exercise trainers were called gymnasts. The aleiptes were responsible for muscle massages. All of these services were expensive. If the athlete could not afford to pay the trainer, the city would pay.
 
3     Training specifically for the Olympics took place for at least ten months before the start of the games. It was rigorous and tiring training. Form, grace, strength, and speed were equally important. The participants always competed alone and not on teams. The competition was serious. One month before the start of the Olympic games, the athlete would arrive and train in one of the arenas. The athletes had to prove that they had trained for those ten months before the games. Then, from all those who arrived, judges picked those who would actually be allowed to compete. The coaches or trainers would accompany their athletes.

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