Ancient Egyptian Sports

Many of today's sports were practiced by the Ancient Egyptians, who set the rules and regulations for them. Inscriptions on monuments indicate that they practiced wrestling, weightlifting, long jump, swimming, rowing, shooting, fishing and athletics, as well as various kinds of ball games.

Ancient Egyptian kings, princes and statesmen were keen on attending sports competitions, which they encouraged and provided with the necessary equipment.

Drawings on pharaonic monuments tell us that several thousand years ago, the Egyptians had laid down basic rules for games, chosen a neutral referee, a uniform for players, and a means of announcing the winners by awarding them different collars.

Both winner and loser were met with ovation, the first for his superiority and the latter for his sporting spirit.

The following is an expose of some ancient Egyptian sports:

Hockey	Handball	Gymnastics (floor exercises)
Gymnastics (consecutive vault)	Javelin Throw	Fishing

Boxing	Weightlifting	Equestrian Sports
High Jump	Swimming	Rowing

Archery	Rhythmic Gymnastics	Tug of Hoop
Marathon	Equilibrium	Tug of War