At ancient Greek sports festivals it was the custom to give ribbons to winning athletes. Later, at the awards' ceremony, the athlete received a wreath of leaves such as olive, laurel or wild celery leaves, depending on the festival. The identity of the athlete and the event he won are not known. Athletes are selected by their respective NOCs, who are responsible for supporting them and entering them for the Games. The IOC sends out invitation letters to all NOCs one year before the Opening Ceremony and those NOCS then submit entries for the Games who are then approved or otherwise by the IOC. They got The Olympic Order award for winning.
Buffalo soldiers didn't only battle Native Americans. They also fought wildfires and poachers in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and supported the parks' infrastructure. The Buffalo Soldiers' main duty was to support the nation's westward expansion by protecting settlers, building roads and other infrastructure, and guarding the U.S. mail. This probably didn't help since it was late
