Sporting event that started as a religious ritual Crossword Clue

 The sporting event that started as a religious ritual is the Olympics.

The ancient Olympic Games were a religious festival held in honor of the Greek god Zeus. The first recorded Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BC. The Games were held every four years until 393 AD, when they were banned by the Roman emperor Theodosius I.

The ancient Olympic Games were very different from the modern Olympics. There were only a few events, and the athletes were all male. The events included running, jumping, wrestling, and boxing. The athletes competed naked, and the winners were awarded olive wreaths.

The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, and they were open to athletes from all over the world. The modern Olympics have grown into one of the largest and most popular sporting events in the world.

While the modern Olympics are no longer a religious festival, they still retain some of their ancient roots. For example, the Olympic flame is still lit in Olympia, Greece, and it is carried to the Olympic stadium in the host city. The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games also features a parade of athletes from all over the world, and the closing ceremony features the awarding of medals to the winners.

The Olympic Games are a reminder of our shared humanity and our common values. They are a celebration of sport, competition, and excellence.