Pankration and History Repeating Itself

"Internationally, it is the World Pankration Federation that is leading the way".
- International Olympic Committee


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"Pankration is a sport introduced in the Greek Olympic games in 648 BC. Many historians believe that although pankration was not one of the first Olympic sports, it was likely one of the most popular[citation needed]. Some also argue it to be the first all-encompassing fighting system in human history, and it bears many similarities to modern mixed martial arts styles. However, this is a strongly debated issue in the academic community (www.wikipedia.org)."

The history behind the sport of Pankration is amazing. However, if it has been around for so long, why havn't more people been introduced to or even heard of such a thing? An interestig answer lies behind this question. Was it possibly an ineffective of non existent marketing strategy, no trace of advertising or promotions, or could it be that times have changed and MMA has taken the place of Pankration.

In an effort to promote the sport of Pankration and gain popularity, a man by the name of Craig Smith formed the World Pankration Federation. However, "the only solution to gaining recognition and popularity would be incorporating Pankration into the Olympic Games once again."

This idea seem outrageous, considering a large percentage of people have never even heard of such a sport. Even though Pankration will probably not make it to the Olympic Games today, Pankration once played a major role in the Olympic Games... "Somehow the sport of pankration fell out of the public radar and was erased from the games. However, when it was a part of the Olympics, one thing is for sure,It was the most popular event going (www.extremeprosports.com)."

Pankration seems to be the modern day ultimate fighting or MMA. Both share many similarities in technique as well as history of injustices and bad publicity. Back to the question of wheter or not Pankration will make it to the Olypic Games...well, this can be compared to wheter or not the practice of UFC will become legal in all states."For much the same reason why mixed martial arts was blacked out from America for so many years, pankration was barred from the modern Olympic Games (www.extremeprosports.com)."

I guess the old saying is true...History repeats itself.