After reviewing briefly the theories concerning the origins of the Olympic games, a new hypothesis is put forward, which is based on the striking similarities between the panhellenic festival and the Dorian Karneia. The similarities (date and periodicity of the festival accompanied by a sacred truce, central role of a running event, divinatory function) are explained by assuming a common origin related to hunting practices, which are clearly reflected by the archaeological remains (large tripod cauldrons used to cook the game animals and bronze statuettes representing them) and seem to have seriously influenced the early development of the sanctuary and its games.