The present we share is based on the past we did share.
This concept has been used for the legitimisation of the central
authorities. The common past ensured by common ancestry proved
the coexistence of the Greeks under the rule of a nation-state and helped
to surpass the differences among them.
The organisation of the Olympic Games linked directly to its classical origins. Symbols of the classical past were used in a new - national - context.
"The decoration of the Stadium is exceptional. At the entrance very tall masts have been erected and on them are hung standarts and escutcheins, and on each side a replica of ancient tripods. All around close to the marble parapet are poles with escutcheons, while close to the sfendone the two ancient Hermes which we found during the excavations of the ancient track have been set up."