Athlete Supervision
In order to promote the Games and assure a perfect final
spectacle, they had to supervise the athletes during the training in Elis
for the month prior to the Games. The judges had to select those with satisfactory
training and single out others of poor performance. Their judgement was
covering not only the area of physical performance, but was extending over
the athletes' overall character and morality.
"The judges sternly supervised the athletes for nearly a month, wacking them with rods to emphasize their instruction. Shortly before the games began, the judges selected the best athletes and took them to Olympia. 'If you have exercised yourself in a manner worthy of the Olympic Games,' the judges announced, 'if you have been guily of no slothful or ignoble act, go on with courage. You who have not so practiced, go wither you will."4
Age Classification
In addition, one of the main tasks of the Hellanodikai
was to judge the age of the athletes who would participate in the games
and allocate the athletes into different age groups. Upon arrival of the
athletes, the Elean Hellanodikai classified them into age groups. Those
who judged the ages of the boys also swore that they would judge fairly
and would not take bribes. They also would guard in secrecy everything
about the examinee.
Awards and Punishment
It was the responsibility of the judges to award the
prizes to the victors, or to punish and impose fines on those who did not
obey the rules. Their authority was great, and the only appeal from their
decisions was to the Elean senate. Dressed in their purple robes and occupying
the special seats in the stadium, they were a most imposing sight. The
hellanodikai, assisted by the alytarches (special police officers) issued
penalties to those who did not obey the rules. Penalties included fines,
exclusion from the Games, and corporal punishment.