Xystum - (pronounced Zis-tum) noun. A covered colonade that afforded protection from the wind and rain, where ancient Greek athletes trained before the Olympic Games.
Ancient Greek athletes symbolized the pursuit of physical excellence and the harmonious development of the body and mind. The Greeks believed in the concept of “kalokagathia,” which emphasized the balance of beauty and goodness through physical and intellectual endeavors. Athletes were admired for their dedication to training, competition, and the embodiment of virtues such as courage, discipline, and honor. The Olympic Games, rooted in ancient Greece, celebrated these ideals and fostered a sense of unity among city-states.