Iccus of Taranto (Ancient Greek: Ἴκκος) (5th century BC) was a Magna GreciaOlympic athlete, a victor during the 84th Games (444 BC)[1] or 70th Games (470 BC) according to older sources.[2] He is considered the father of athletic dietology. He prepared himself physically before competing according to ethical-religious Pythagorean concepts by abstaining from sexual intercourse and a frugal diet specially prepared. He also taught these principles.[3]Pausanias calls him the best gymnast of his age,[4] and Plato also mentions him with great praise.[5]
^Moretti, Luigi (2014). «Luigi Moretti e il catalogo degli Olympionikai. Testimonianze epigrafiche, letterarie, papirologiche e numismatiche sui vincitori degli agoni olimpici panellenici (Ellade e Magna Grecia: 776 a.C. - 393 d.C.)». Maria Elisa Garcia Barraco. AM; 7 - Arbor Sapientiae Editore S.r.l., Iccus, p. 74. ISBN978-88-97805-32-8.
^L’Arte ginnica di Icco da Taranto nel contesto socio-culturale della Magna Grecia; Luigi Stroppiana, Medicina nei Secoli arte e Scienza, 1989, 1:3-12, Roma; ISSN0394-9001