In Spartas case it wasn’t just weapons: Many classical olympic disciplines are related to stuff you had to do in the army.
Marathon: March long times, with your gear.
Sprint: Charge attacks. Or retreats if you’re among the peltasts.
Pankraton: Close combat and endurance of said close combat.
Various throwing disciplines: You’re a Peltast, Harry.
Chariot racing: Nothing, Greece had no history in chariot warfare. Too mountainous. Purely a rich guy sport, which Sparta excelled in because it had a shitload of slaves to do all the actual work.
In Spartas case it wasn’t just weapons: Many classical olympic disciplines are related to stuff you had to do in the army.
Marathon: March long times, with your gear.
Sprint: Charge attacks. Or retreats if you’re among the peltasts.
Pankraton: Close combat and endurance of said close combat.
Various throwing disciplines: You’re a Peltast, Harry.
Chariot racing: Nothing, Greece had no history in chariot warfare. Too mountainous. Purely a rich guy sport, which Sparta excelled in because it had a shitload of slaves to do all the actual work.