Half the Olympic program, on the other hand, was given over to religious ritual: processions, hymn-singing, incense-burning, gory animal sacrifice and strange incantations by exotically attired priests.

WSJ: The Ancient Olympics: Mud, Sex, Hymns...Sports Too

Isaac Azimov, who was burning all his story ideas and first drafts in the barbecue pit in his garden, was encouraged instead to hand them over.

ECONOMIST: Howard Gotlieb

"He was very afraid of fire, very scared of burning, " she said, describing his complaints after mere steam from hot tea once left a mark on his hand.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS