Could females participate in the ancient Olympic Games?

所有希腊的男性自由人都有资格参加奥林匹克运动会。至于女人，严格地说，只允许未婚女人参加。不过有个同级的赫拉运动会，允许所有女人参加……

All free male Greek citizens were entitled to participate in the ancient Olympic Games regardless of their social status. Orsippos, a general from Megara; Polymnistor, a shepherd; Diagoras, a member of a royal family from Rhodes; Alexander I, son of Amyndas and King of Macedonia; and Democritus, a philosopher, were all participants in the Games.

Married women were not allowed to participate in, or to watch, the ancient Olympic Games. However, unmarried women could attend the competition, and the priestess of Demeter, goddess of fertility, was given a privileged position next to the Stadium altar.

Although the ancient Olympic Games did not allow female participation, the Herean Games, staged every four years to honor Hera, wife of Zeus, did give female athletes the chance to compete.

（英语点津Celene编辑）