(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-02-28 09:28

Avenue of Knights in Rhodes.

Before our trip to Rhodes in Greece in October, I surfed the Internet and found an interesting link between the island and the Olympics. In the 5th century BC, Diagoras of Rhodes won in the 79th Olympiad in boxing. Decades later, his two sons, Damagetos and Akousilaos, also won in boxing and pancratium at the Olympiad.

The two young men crowned their father with their victory wreaths, held him on their shoulders and walked the victory lap.

A man in the crowd shouted: "Now it's time for you to die, Diagoras! Do not ask to go to the top of Olympus, too!" With the acclamations of the crowd, Diagoras died, proud and happy. But the story didn't end there. Dorieus, a younger son of Diagoras, later also became an Olympic champion, so did Eucles and Peisidoros, grandsons of Diagoras.

Kallipateira, a daughter of Diagoras, is said to be the only woman who violated a ban on women in the Olympic stadium. However, she was not condemned for this action. When the judges asked her how she dared to enter the stadium, she replied proudly that her father, brothers and son were Olympic champions, so she deserved that.

But when we finally landed at Rhodes in the southeastern corner of Greece, the barren fields looked disappointing. Even the famed olive trees appeared beaten by the scorching sun. Yet during the three days of our stay, we made many discoveries.

Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Rhodes has attracted various people throughout history. Every race that arrived in Rhodes, peacefully or after winning a war, has left a trace on the beautiful island.

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