Football clubs’ most unusual mascots

Ancient Greece is a land of myths, heroes and great ambitions. It was here, amidst majestic temples and the many-headed Olympus, that the foundations were laid for what would later become a symbol of global sporting unity – the first Olympic Games.

A time of legends: the history of the first Olympic Games and their deep roots

The origins of the Olympic spirit began in ancient Greece. There was an idea of gods to please and people who strove to become worthy of this divine honour. The first competitions were held in the city of Olympia, in a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, and had a sacred significance. At a time when myths and legends ruled the world, man strived to prove that he was capable of surpassing himself, and this aspiration resulted in the first Olympic Games. They became an integral part of Greek life – a place where not only the strongest were revealed, but also showed respect for the opponent, for the very process of struggle.

There were other interesting nuances: the competitions were held every four years and lasted five days. The winners of the competitions were considered national heroes, they were celebrated, and sometimes even statues were erected in their honour. The events symbolised unity, and even in times of war, a sacred truce, the ekehiria, was signed during the Olympic Games, allowing all participants to arrive and return home safely.

How it all began: the ancient Olympic Games and their first participants

The very first Olympic Games were unique. Only free Greek men could participate. These men trained for years and devoted their lives to showing their skills in running, discus and javelin throwing, wrestling and other disciplines. The first participants were not just athletes, they were considered something between heroes and humans. Athletes performed naked, emphasising their unity with nature and the integrity of the competition.

List of disciplines:

1. One-stage running (192 metres). The participants, naked and barefoot, competed on special tracks in the stadium. The winner was considered something of a national hero, and it was his name that was recorded in the annals of history.
2. Disc throwing. It was made of bronze or stone, and participants tried to throw it as far as possible. This discipline required not only physical strength but also precise technique.
3. Javelin throwing. It was light and designed for throwing distance. Participants used special leather straps to improve grip and distance. The winners demonstrated incredible coordination and balance.
4. Wrestling was a discipline that allowed athletes to show their physical power and tactical skill. The goal was to force the opponent to touch the ground with his shoulders or to push him out of a confined area.
5. Pentathlon. The Pentathlon included five events: running, discus throwing, javelin throwing, long jumping and wrestling. Pentathlon was considered the most prestigious competition, as it required an athlete to master all skills at once.
6. Long jumps in antiquity were somewhat unusual – athletes used special weights (gymnets), which they waved during the jump to give themselves more momentum.
7. Fist fighting (pygmachia). Fights were fought until one of the opponents gave up or was knocked out. Athletes bandaged their hands with leather strips, which made the blows even more painful.
8. Chariot races. One of the most spectacular competitions held on the hippodrome. It involved chariots drawn by four horses. The competition was characterised by a high level of danger, as accidents and injuries were common.
9. Long-distance running (dolichos). Athletes ran several kilometres through heat and dust.

Hundreds of athletes from various Greek city-states such as Athens, Sparta and Corinth took part in the first competitions. Each discipline was a challenge requiring the utmost dedication, and participation was considered a great honour and an indicator of outstanding physical qualities.

The famous athlete Milon of Croton, a six-time OI winner, became a legend not only for his strength but also for his determination. He was said to have trained by lifting a small calf every day until it grew into a full-grown bull. This philosophy of striving and overcoming is the quintessence of what the first Olympic Games meant.

Athens 1896: the return of a great tradition

After more than a thousand years of neglect, the idea of reviving the OM shone with new colours thanks to one man – Pierre de Coubertin. The French aristocrat was obsessed with bringing the spirit of unity and fair competition back to the world. Inspired by ancient traditions, Coubertin began his journey to popularise the idea of international competition, where the main goal was not to win at all costs, but to participate and strive for excellence.

The first modern Olympics took place in Athens in 1896 and it was a huge event, with 241 athletes from 14 countries taking part. The atmosphere of the competition was incredible as spectators flocked from all over Europe to witness the revival of a great tradition. While in ancient Greece the games were about honouring the gods, in 1896 the main idea was internationality and the pursuit of peace through sport.

The legacy and significance of the first Olympic Games for the world

The significance of the first Olympic Games goes far beyond ordinary sporting competitions. The Games laid the foundation for an international sporting movement where respect, equality and the pursuit of excellence were the core values. The Games have inspired and continue to inspire millions of people around the world to follow their dreams and overcome obstacles.

The Olympic Oath, first recited in 1920, is a direct legacy of ancient vows of honesty and respect for competitors. It is a reminder that the first Olympic Games established a tradition that lives on today. The principle of “participation, not victory, is what counts” still resonates in the hearts of millions of athletes around the world.

Conclusion

The first Olympic Games were the beginning of a great tradition that has endured through the ages and become a symbol of unity, peace and the pursuit of excellence. They are a reminder that, regardless of time and circumstance, the desire to be better and the willingness to overcome ourselves is what makes us human.

Today, as the Olympic Games attract thousands of participants and millions of spectators, it is safe to say: their legacy lives on and will continue to inspire generations to come.

The world’s iconic stadiums are venues where sporting destinies have been forged, national symbols have been consolidated and legends have been created. Each one brings millions of people together, turning matches into events and victories into memories for generations. Their size, acoustics and atmosphere create a unique blend of emotions, tension and triumph. The history of these stadiums is a novel told by the voices of the fans and the thunderous kicks of the ball.

The birthplace of the European final: Wembley, London

Before the final at Wembley, the city comes to a standstill. The streets are decked out in the colours of the teams, the stations are filled with crowds of fans, and the sky above the stadium seems to thicken with anticipation. Wembley is not just a stadium, it is the pinnacle of British football consciousness, the stage on which the destinies of generations of players and coaches are decided.

The 133-metre-high arch has become the new calling card of English sport. It can be seen from anywhere in the neighbourhood, closing the horizon like a beacon pointing the way to greatness. Inside, there are 90,000 seats, and every stand seems to sing in unison when the anthem is played, when the ball is kicked, when a penalty is taken. Here, people have won and cried, celebrated and fallen silent. The FA Cup finals, the Super Cup, Euro 2020, the Olympics, the Champions League… Every match at Wembley adds a touch of history to football.

The world’s iconic stadium in Brazil: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro.

Maracanã lives on the edge. Here, football is not a sport, but a religion. On match day, the streets of Rio turn into a procession of faith: flags, drums, dancing. The stadium welcomes the fans like an ancient temple. It not only seats 78,000 spectators, but also absorbs the heat of human emotions like a sponge.

The 1950 final was a tragedy for the nation: the defeat against Uruguay in front of 200,000 spectators left an incurable wound in the memory of the people. But that is precisely what made Maracanã a sacred place. It was here that Pelé said goodbye, the title was celebrated in 1994, and the team lost again in 2014. Every story is a drama, every touch is a spark. On the grass of Maracanã, dribbling becomes dancing and the ball becomes part of the player’s body.

The most iconic stadiums in the world owe their fame not only to their size, but also to their energy. Maracanã breathes to the rhythm of the samba and reminds us that football does not end with the final whistle, but lives on in songs, tears and legends.

The Catalan fortress: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Camp Nou rises like a fortress built not with concrete but with ideology. The stands are like the steps of a temple dedicated to the philosophy of football. With a capacity of 99,000 spectators, the stadium creates the acoustics of a theatre, where every match becomes a choreography of passes and ideas.

At Camp Nou, games are never just played; here, a story is told. From Cruijff to Messi, from an inconspicuous goal to victory in the Champions League, every episode bears the stamp of the evolution of football. The stadium has not only become the home of Barcelona, but also the voice of Catalan identity. Politics, culture, sport: everything is interwoven in the facets of this stadium.

The theatre of dreams: Old Trafford, Manchester

Old Trafford is a masterpiece of football architecture, built on emotions, heroic deeds and drama. The name ‘Theatre of Dreams’ was not chosen by chance. Here, not only are games played, but ambitions are realised, destinies are broken and legends are born. The greatness of Manchester United is imbued in the concrete, metal and grass of the stadium. Each of the 74,000 seats in the stands absorbs not only the sound, but also the meaning: the whisper of history, the rumble of a decisive battle, the groan of defeat.

The stadium is not only a sports complex, but also an emotional learning experience. The fans don’t just watch, they live the game. The silence after a goal against sounds louder here than any shout. When the final whistle blew in 1999 and United won the treble, the stadium could not contain itself and erupted. These walls remember Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs and Rooney. The iconic stadiums of the world rarely shape generations. Old Trafford is one of them. It is an example of what a stadium should look like when it is given soul and dignity.

The home of the royal club: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid

The Santiago Bernabéu is a palace. It seems to be embedded in the cityscape of Madrid, like a crown on a royal portrait. The home of Real Madrid can accommodate 81,000 spectators, but the most important thing is the scale of expectations. Spectators do not come here to doubt, but to celebrate. And in most cases, they go home satisfied.

Every renovation of the Bernabéu makes it a new symbol of technological and sporting progress. The stadium exudes status. The interior is designed like a museum, where every trophy is an exhibit and every match a demonstration of power. And if football is an art form, then the Bernabéu is its gallery. The stadium not only inspires, but also raises the bar. For the players, the fans and the architects of the future.

The football opera of Milan: San Siro, Milan

San Siro does not look in one direction. It serves two worlds at the same time: the black and blue of Inter and the red and black of Milan. 80,000 seats watch the eternal battle, full of passion, strategy and style. Here, the ball not only rolls, but also sets the tone.

San Siro is literally steeped in aesthetics. The flowing lines of the architecture blend with the roar of the fans in the stands. When the curve of the flares is lit, the air thickens. The Derby della Madonnina turns the stadium into a volcano. That is why San Siro is one of the most emblematic stadiums in the world, not because of its size, but because of its impact.

The stadium shapes players with character. Every match is a test of endurance. And no matter who is hosting that evening, the stadium remains faithful to the art of football spectacle. Even after the final whistle, the aftertaste lingers here. San Siro leaves an impression because it lives like an organism, with a heartbeat, a pulse and a memory.

The iconic stadium of two World Cups: the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The Azteca is a temple of football mythology. The majestic concrete ring, integrated into the landscape of Mexico, has become a stage where emotions always play a leading role. The Estadio Azteca can accommodate more than 87,000 spectators, but its true capacity lies in the amount of memories. Here, history is not only created, but also materialised.

The world’s iconic stadiums owe two of their greatest finals to this arena: those of 1970 and 1986. Here, Pelé lifted the cup like a king, Maradona made the dribble of the century and defied logic with the hand of God. On this grass, the ball not only rolled, but made its way to immortality. But the stadium does not live on the past alone. The acoustics break the air with every strike, the stands form a veritable tsunami of energy. The spectators here are not an audience, but accomplices. Every attack is a collective movement, every mistake a national disappointment.

The Olympic Stadium, Berlin

The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is a synthesis of eras, architecture and ideology. It is not only accepted in the international arena, but also part of the historical narratives of the twentieth century. Built as a symbol of strength and unity, it changed from a place of imperial ambitions to a space for democratic sport. The colonnade and austere forms do not radiate coldness, but solemnity. The stadium can accommodate 74,000 spectators, but it houses much more: memories, emotions, lessons.

The 2006 World Cup final turned the stadium into a screen for the whole world. Not only was a match played here, but it also marked the end of the Zidane era. The 1936 Olympic Games caused controversy, but also gave the sport unique images that have remained in the cultural memory. The Olympic Stadium is not one of those that shout. It speaks with determination, with dignity. The world’s iconic stadiums have a responsibility to the past. The Olympic Stadium in Berlin fulfils this with the precision of an architect and the power of a champion.

Football lessons Scottish style: Hampden Park, Glasgow

Hampden Park has no illusions. It does not bow to architectural trends, it does not shout about itself with super-powerful acoustics. Located in the heart of Glasgow, the stadium has known both triumph and pain and the silence of 52,000 voices. The stadium has witnessed many things: national derbies that turn into battles, European cup nights where Scottish clubs defend their honour, international matches where the spirit of the country lives in every fan. When the stands start singing, there is no desire to record, only to join in.

The beginning of the history of world football: Centenario, Montevideo

The Centenario is a symbol of the emergence of the globalisation of football. It was built in just nine months to celebrate the centenary of Uruguay’s independence and became the place where a new era began. It was here in 1930 that the first World Cup began and the path that world football would follow was set. The stadium became the starting point for everything that is now known as ‘World Cup culture’.

The Centenario embodies the style of Uruguayan football: tenacity, technique and strategy. The concrete walls echo the first anthems, broadcasts and legends. The world’s iconic stadiums may be different: innovative, noisy, majestic. But the Centenario is one of the few that can say: ‘This is where it all began’.

Conclusion

The iconic stadiums of the world are not only the scene of matches, but also of entire eras. The grandeur of these structures is not measured in concrete or iron, but in the hearts of millions of people who have shouted, cried and believed in the stands. Each of these places will remain forever, as a symbol, as history, as a source of inspiration. Here, sport becomes art, architecture becomes character and the game becomes part of the culture.