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Olympic Glory for a Princess

February 24, 2026·17 min·1 clip

A Spartan princess exploited a chariot racing loophole to become the first woman Olympic champion.

This episode of Noble Blood, hosted by Dana Schwartz, explores the story of Princess Anne's 1976 Olympic equestrian competition and the ancient Spartan princess who preceded her. Schwartz connects these two royal athletes across a millennium of history. The episode centers on Cynisca, a Spartan princess who became the first woman to win at the ancient Olympic Games. The narrative begins with Queen Elizabeth II's 2013 Royal Ascot victory and her daughter Princess Anne's Olympic participation, where Anne finished seventh in dressage and fell during cross-country. The ancient Olympics, dating to 776 BC, were revived in their modern form in 1896. Cynisca, daughter of King Archidamus II of Sparta, was born around 440 BC and benefited from Spartan women's relative freedoms, including property rights and athletic training. A loophole allowed women to compete as owners and trainers in chariot races, which Cynisca entered in 396 BC and again in 392 BC, winning both times. Some historical sources suggest her brother, Agesilaus II, encouraged her entry to devalue chariot racing as a sport of mere wealth. Following her victories, Cynisca commissioned bronze statues at Olympia with an inscription declaring herself the only woman in Hellas to win the crown. A surprising insight is that Cynisca's name likely translates to "female puppy," a feminized version of her grandfather's nickname. Spartan women were viewed by outsiders as promiscuous and domineering, and they often married around age 18, later than other Greek women. The episode clarifies that the famous Olympic truce, or *ekecheiria*, protected travelers to the games but did not stop wars entirely. Schwartz personally doubts the anecdote about Agesilaus's motives, suggesting it was crafted to make him look clever after his sister's success. Cynisca's win earned her a hero shrine in Sparta, an honor previously reserved for men. The tone is educational and narrative, blending historical facts with engaging storytelling about royal figures. Schwartz's style is conversational, often interjecting her own analysis of the historical sources. Listeners who enjoy stories of ancient history, women's achievements, and the intersection of royalty and sports would love this episode. Those seeking modern political analysis or purely biographical narratives might find it less relevant.

As heard by us

Siniska of Sparta sought to compete at the Olympics in an era when women were barred from the Games.

Noble Blood's episode on Siniska, a Spartan princess, doesn't take the easy route. Young women in Sparta trained athletically -- laws required them to be "fit as their brothers" -- and married around 18 to men of comparable age, later and more equitably than almost anywhere else…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A Spartan princess chases the Olympics in a Games that wouldn't let her compete -- and maybe wouldn't even let her watch.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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