The kotinos is an olive branch intertwined to form a circle. To be crowned with this wreath was the award the athletes of the ancient Olympic Games competed for. That's not to say this was their only reward: Usually the hometown of the athlete awarded him a generous sum of money. Binomial name Olea europaea L. The Olive (Olea europaea) is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean region. ... Ruins of the training grounds at Olympia The Ancient Olympic Games were an athletic and religious celebration held in the Greek town of Olympia from (historically) as early as 776 BC to 393 AD. // Origin The historical origins of the Ancient Olympic Games are lost in the fog of time...

At Athens 2004 the kotinos-tradition was renewed, though in this case it was bestowed together with the gold medal. And indeed, athletes felt really honoured for receiving a kotinos. Apart from its use in the awards-ceremonies, the kotinos was choose like the 2004 Summer Olympics emblem. The 2004 Summer Olympics are officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad (the 28th Summer Olympic Games). ... The 2004 Summer Olympics are officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad (the 28th Summer Olympic Games). ...