Who participated in the games and how was the preparation for them going?

Sports competitions in honor of the gods were considered a Greek occupation, completely inaccessible to the barbarians. Once every four years from Olympia to all directions of the world sent “holy messengers” of Zeus. They walked from town to town, informing the Greeks of the joyous event and inviting everyone to attend the Olympic Games. From that time on, a sacred truce was declared throughout Greece. All wars ceased, and crowds of people flocked to the city of Olympia along all roads – to participate in competitions or to watch them.