Wikipedia (
visit link) informs us:
"The stadium at the archaeological site of Olympia, Greece, is located to the east of the sanctuary of Zeus. It was the location of many of the sporting events at the Ancient Olympic Games...
The physical landmarks of the stadium are 212.54 m (697.3 ft) long and 30–34 m (98–112 ft) wide, and it served mainly for running races that determined the fastest person in the world. The track was made of hard-packed clay to serve as traction for the contestants in the running events. As in current day athletics, a white block was placed on one end of the track where the athletes would line up to place their feet and got ready to start of the race. The white block was used to align all the athletes so they would all run the same distance."
As for the book, Good Reads (
visit link) provides the following information:
"The First Olympics
Ben M. Baglio
,
Leslie Morrill
(Illustrator)
3.53
68 ratings7 reviews
While visiting the site of the ancient Olympic games in Greece one summer, the reader is suddenly transported through time, arriving at the very first Olympics in time to choose whether to compete as a wrestler or to enter the chariot races.
Genres
Choose Your Own Adventure
Childrens
Gamebooks
Historical Fiction
116 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1988
Original title
The First Olympics (Choose Your Own Adventure, #77)
Series
Choose Your Own Adventure (#77)
This edition
Format
116 pages, Paperback
Published
March 1, 1988 by Bantam Books
ISBN
9780553270631 (ISBN10: 055327063X)
Language
English"