The first Olympic event was the stadium race, a course of about 200m (1 stadium) which was the only event until 724 B.C., when the "diavlos" was added, a distance run of 400m (2 stadiums.)  In these races the athletes ran naked, a tradition which was established in the Olympics of 720 B.C. where a runner from Megara, orsippos, won by running naked after losing his tunic during the course of the race. In 720 B.C. another distance run was added, the "dolichos" which was an endurance race of about 3,5 to 4km.  These track competitors had another addition in 520 B.C., the "oplitis", a race of 400m wearing full armour. 

Other events which were added at different stages, were wrestling, boxing and the "pagratio" (a combination of boxing and wrestling), the chariot races, the horse riding competitions and the pentathlon. The pentathlon consisted of the javelin throw, the discus, the long-jump, running and wrestling.  The first three took place as part of the pentathlon whereas the other two were independent competitions.  According to tradition, the pentathlon was established by Jason in the competitions of the Argonauts in Limnos, to honour his friend Palea, who took part in the 5 events, winning first place in wrestling and second place in all the other events.  The long jump took place place with the musical accompaniment of a flute, which helped the athletes to obtain rhythm while running.