所有希腊的男性自由人都有资格参加奥林匹克运动会。至于女人，严格地说，只允许未婚女人参加。不过有个同级的赫拉运动会，允许所有女人参加……

All free male Greek citizens were entitled to participate in the ancient Olympic Games, regardless of their social status. Orsippos, a general from Megara; Polymnistor, a shepherd; Diagoras, member of a royal family from Rhodes; Alexander I, son of Amyndas and King of Macedonia; and Democritus, a philosopher, were all participants in the Games.

Married women were not allowed to participate in, or to watch, the ancient Olympic Games. However, unmarried women could attend the competition, and the priestess of Demeter, goddess of fertility, was given a privileged position next to the Stadium altar.

Although the ancient Olympic Games did not allow female participation, the Herean Games, staged every four years to honour Hera, wife of Zeus, gave female athletes the chance to compete.

重点词汇

Demeter  n. （希腊神话）得墨忒耳（掌农业，结婚，丰饶的女神）

regardless of  不管

participate  v. 参加

priestess  n. 女祭司

fertility  n. 肥沃, 丰产

altar  n. 祭坛

Stadium  n. 露天大型运动场

Hera  n. 赫拉

Zeus  n. 宙斯