[Gymnic art of Iccus of Taranto in the contest of Magna Grecia].

Iccus of Taranto was a famous athlete living in the V century B.C. and participating in Olympic competitions, of which was a winner in the LXXXVII games. He was quoted by Plato for the accuracy in the preparation of his athletic body: before competitions he avoided sexual relationships and took a lot of care to diet, so that he is considered the founder of athletic dietology. His thought was influenced by pytagoreans, mainly by Alcmaeon of Crotone: for this he taught the importance of the harmony of body and mind, the frugality in eating, the self control. An appropriate but frugal diet for athletes was known as meal of Iccus and used before races.