File:Hysplex Foot Race Starting Mechanism in Nemea, Greece (10).jpg

English: A modern version of the ancient hysplex was reconstructed in the stadium at Nemea, Greece in 1993 and has been used during revivals of the Ancient Nemean Games held every four years. Two ropes are strung across the racing lanes and tied to wooden poles at each end of the starting line stone, called a balbis, which was carved with two thin grooves marking where runners placed their toes. Another set of ropes at the base of the two poles is twisted to create tension when the gate is lifted vertically into the starting position. The gate is then held in place by a ring and cord fastened to larger stationary posts at each end. The race official standing behind the runners would shout, "foot by foot, ready, go!" before pulling a chord attached to the rings that triggered the gate to slam to the ground in front of the runners and start the race.

Based on discoveries by University of Athens professor Panos Valavanis, the reconstruction of the fully functioning hysplex at Nemea was directed by Stephen Miller, University of California, Berkeley professor emeritus of Classical Archaeology.

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