Coming upon a group of Spartans and Eleans in battle, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) breaks up the melee and looks after one young Spartan named Damon (Matthew Humphrey), who has been attacked from behind and knocked unconscious by Brontus the Elean (Paul Glover). When Hercules escorts him back to his village of Propontus, he is surprised to find that the young man's aunt is his old friend Atalanta (Cory Everson). No longer the sexily-clad blacksmith he once knew, Atalanta tells Hercules that she has been taking care of Damon ever since the death of his mother. She reveals that her older brother, Damon's father, was a Spartan warrior killed in battle and confides her fear that Damon, with his all-consuming interest in war, will follow in his father's footsteps. During a walk around the village, Hercules notices that everyone seems to be fighting and bickering. But when two young boys settle a dispute by racing each other rather than arguing, he hits upon the idea of organizing a series of athletic contests to prove who the fastest and strongest warriors are, which will provide an alternative to constant combat. Atalanta likes the idea instantly and wins Damon's promise of cooperation by defeating him in an arm wrestling match. Meanwhile, the Elean leader Tarkon (Chris Bailey) is furious when he learns that his young warriors have fled from Hercules, and he tells them they must kill the son of Zeus in order to appease Ares, the god of war.
To secure a field in which to stage the athletic events, Atalanta takes Hercules to a secluded cottage to meet Psoriasis, who turns out to be none other than Salmoneus (Robert Trebor), hiding out on his brother-in-law's estate from some people he swindled in a game of chance. He enthusiastically signs on to the project, hoping both to make some money and to get closer to the sexy Atalanta. He leads them to a magnificent open field with Mount Olympus rising in the background, where he is struck by a sudden inspiration to name the competition the Olympic Games. Hercules sets out to tell the Spartans and Eleans about his idea and comes upon Damon and his old friend Taphius (John Watson), a veteran warrior who sees the wisdom of Hercules' plan. Hercules maneuvers his way into the Elean camp to invite Tarkon to join in the competition, but Tarkon quickly orders his men to kill Hercules and a bloody battle ensues. When the dust settles, Hercules is surrounded by a group of dazed and unconscious warriors, and he again invites an angry Tarkon to participate in the Games.
As preparations for the Games continue, Tarkon, standing in a shrine before a pool of blood, prays to Ares for help in defeating Hercules. In answer to his prayers, the Elean leader watches as his battle-weary veteran soldiers drink from the pool and are transformed into hideous killers. Tarkon promises the young Brontus that the birth of the Olympics will be the death of Hercules.
On the day of the Olympics, a huge crowd turns out for the events which include the 100 meter dash, the broad jump, the javelin throw, the discus throw and boxing. It appears that the competition is starting to thaw the icy relationship between the Spartans and the Eleans. Atalanta delights the crowd when she breaks the tie between Damon and Brontus in the javelin throw by beating both of them easily and walking away the winner. Just as the 100 meter dash is about to begin, however, Tarkon's transformed warriors, known as Mesomorphs, come thundering out of the woods to attack the Spartan competitors. As Hercules leaps into the battle, the competing Spartans and Eleans, including Damon and Brontus, join together to fight Tarkon's men. In the end, the warriors of Ares are defeated and the Olympics Games proceed in peace.
Starring: Kevin Sorbo (Hercules)
Guest Starring: Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), Cory Everson (Atalanta), Matthew Humphrey (Damon), Paul Glover (Brontus), Chris Bailey (Tarkon), John Watson (Tarphius), Selwyn Sargeson (Wagon Master), Jason Hoyte (Scarred Lieutenant), Marcus Pointon (Elean Soldier #1), Ben Crowder (Tough Elean), Chris McKibbin (Leader), Norman Palacio (Grocer), Brenda Kendall (Woman Shopper), Morgan Palmer-Hubbard (Boy #1), Timothy Dale (Boy #2), Paul Norell (Falafel), Ben Eastwood (Spotter)
Written by John Schulian
Directed by Gus Trikonis
Trivia: Salmoneus invents both the Olympic torch and the olive branch crown. He comes up with the idea for the torch after taking notice of Falafel's grill. Before it becomes the Olympic torch, Falafel uses his grill to cook hot dogs.