Yes, it’s true. There was a time when artists and sculptors were placed on equal footing alongside sportspeople, and competed in the Olympics.
And, we are not talking about gladiator times – although sculpture and literature was a key part of the original Greek Games.
It was, however, with the revival of the modern Olympics, led by Parisian, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, that art got a second look-in. It was a hard-fought battle – worthy of gold itself – but in 1912 arts got across the line, with the first medals awarded.
