The leaves became the symbol of victory and laurel wreaths were given to the victors of the Pythian games.
ðə lˈiːvz bɪkˌeɪm ðə sˈɪmbəl ʌv vˈɪktɚɹi ænd lˈɔːɹəl ɹˈiːθs wɜː ɡˈɪvən tə ðə vˈɪktɚz ʌvðə pˈaɪθiən ɡˈeɪmz.