History recorded Ikkos of Tarentum the first Olympic coach in ancient Greece, coaching two athletes to win the pentathlon at two ancient Olympiads. Ikkos had an Olympic legacy himself winning the event at the 84th Olympiad in 444 BC.
The spirit of Ikkos lives on with a special honor awarded to the coaches of Team USA athletes who win medals at the Olympic Games.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Olympic Committee awarded the "Order of Ikkos" to Tim Swords. Swords coached Sarah Robles to Team USA's first weightlifting medal in 16 years.
Since the International Olympic Committee does not formally recognize coaches of medal-winning athletes, the USOC started the tradition in 2008 at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing.
