Welcome to another event in the Myth Olympics, the eternal arena where creatures and deities from global mythologies compete for glory. I’m Shamash, the Mesopotamian god of judgment, and today we’re gathered to witness this year’s clash of stunning speed. Joining me in keeping track of our racers is last year’s champion, Hermes—the swift-footed messenger of the Greek gods. He’s delighted to hang up his winged sandals today, but he’s keeping his helmet on because we are in for a wild ride!
Almost every mythical tradition claims one creature as the fastest of them all. From goddesses who run like the wind to creatures who outstrip every captor, mortals of all cultures are fascinated by superhuman swiftness. This year’s contestants include Sleipnir—the son of Loki and the greatest of Asgard’s steeds, Raiju—the Japanese beast of thunder and lightning, Idaten—the Buddhist deity known for outrunning the weather, and Savitar—the Hindu deity that sets everything in motion, from moving the Sun to chasing away sorrow and sickness.
Our noble competitors will run the equivalent of 100 marathons through a hazardous natural obstacle course. As the race begins, Idaten takes the lead. His determination is legendary, having once raced over mountains and rivers to capture a culprit who stole one of Buddha’s teeth. Sleipnir, too, has cleared hurdles in his time, having once rode for nine days straight to retrieve Baldur the Bright from the fortress of Hel.
As the race progresses, Raiju brews a storm to scorch the competition. Known for their destructive storms, Raiju is our most chaotic racer, frequently crashing to earth and getting tangled in flimsy mortal nets. However, Savitar, the golden-handed protector of the universe, breaks through Raiju’s storm, lending his boundless energy to the Sun and manipulating the elements.
Just when it seems the path is clear for Savitar, Sleipnir hurtles out of another dimension, sharing Odin’s ability to travel between the realms. However, Savitar, the god of motion, slows the speed of his opponent, suspending him centimeters from the course’s conclusion. Sleipnir’s stampede slows to a snail’s pace as Savitar leisurely glides over the finish line, demonstrating his mastery of motion by immobilizing his fastest foe.
Despite Sleipnir’s dissatisfaction with this controversial result, there’s always next year. And one might say that we’re all winners for witnessing the mind-bending speed of so many myths and legends.
Imagine you are one of the contestants in the Myth Olympics. Create a short story or comic strip depicting your race through the hazardous obstacle course. Include details about the obstacles you face and how you overcome them. Share your story or comic with the class.
Think about the qualities that make a creature fast and powerful. Design your own mythical creature, giving it unique abilities and a backstory. Draw a picture of your creature and write a description of its powers and origins. Present your creation to the class.
Create a physical or virtual obstacle course inspired by the Myth Olympics. Use items from around your home or classroom to set up the course. Time yourself and your classmates as you navigate the obstacles, and see who can complete the course the fastest. Discuss how the obstacles relate to the challenges faced by the mythical creatures in the race.
Choose one of the mythical creatures or deities mentioned in the article (Sleipnir, Raiju, Idaten, or Savitar). Research more about their origins, stories, and significance in their respective mythologies. Create a poster or digital presentation to share your findings with the class.
Conduct a science experiment to explore the concepts of speed and motion. Use toy cars, balls, or other objects to test how different surfaces and inclines affect speed. Record your observations and create a chart or graph to display your results. Relate your findings to the abilities of the mythical creatures in the race.
myth – a traditional or legendary story or narrative that explains the beliefs or customs of a society – The myth of Pandora’s box warns of the consequences of curiosity.
Olympics – an international sporting event held every four years, with various competitions and sports – The Olympic Games bring together athletes from around the world to compete for gold medals.
creatures – living beings, often referring to animals or fantastical beings – The deep ocean is home to many fascinating and mysterious creatures.
deities – gods or goddesses, often worshipped or believed in by a particular religion or culture – In Greek mythology, Zeus is the king of deities and ruler of Mount Olympus.
global – relating to the whole world or worldwide – Climate change is a global issue that requires the cooperation of all nations.
clash – a conflict or disagreement, often resulting in a confrontation or battle – The two rival gangs had a violent clash in the city streets.
speed – the rate at which something or someone moves or operates – The cheetah is known for its incredible speed, reaching up to 70 miles per hour in short bursts.
racers – individuals or vehicles engaged in a competition of speed – The Formula 1 racers zoomed around the track, pushing their cars to the limit.
champion – a person or team that has won a competition or tournament – Serena Williams is a tennis champion, having won multiple Grand Slam titles.
wild – existing in a natural state, not domesticated or controlled by humans – Exploring the wild African savannah, we encountered a herd of elephants.
