At the Olympics the winner of each event was given a palm branch to signify victory, and was draped in ribbons.

At the ceremony to honour all winners they were crowned with a wreath made from an olive branch cut from Zues' sacred grove in Olympia. They also had the right to have a statue erected in Olympia.

No monetary prizes were given, but often in their home towns they would receive huge benefits. Houses, free food, front row seats for the theatre and even special treatment in gyms.

It would be a very easy life, despite the lack of monetary incentive.