What was a characteristic of athletes in the ancient Olympic Games?

Athletes in the ancient Olympic Games are best known for competing naked and often covered in oil, which was a distinct characteristic of the events held in ancient Greece. This practice had cultural significance; it was believed to celebrate the human form and to promote physical fitness as well as aesthetic ideals of beauty and strength. The use of oil served multiple purposes: it helped to protect the skin, allowed athletes to exercise more freely, and made them appear more impressive as they competed.

The other options do not align with the practices of the ancient Olympic Games. Athletes did not wear heavy armor or compete fully clothed, as the ideals of the time embraced naturalism and physical prowess. Additionally, advanced equipment was not a feature of the ancient Olympics; the competitions focused on athletics and the skills of the individuals rather than the tools they used. Thus, the tradition of competing naked and oiled stands out as a prominent characteristic of the athletes in these historical games.