In myth, the beautiful Atalanta could run faster than the fastest man, and
Apollo warned her that her husband would be her downfall. She set a
competition for many suitors: she would marry the man who out-ran her, and those who failed would die.
Undeterred by the cruel fate that had befallen others and anxious to win the prize, Hippomenes, great-grandson of the King of the Ocean, took up the challenge. He asked for Venus' (Aphrodite's) help, and she offered him three golden apples to distract Atalanta as she ran. While they were running, Hippomenes threw the apples, and Atalanta could not resist running to fetch them.
Having won the race, Hippomenes failed to thank Venus and her sympathy then turned to anger. She induced the couple to defile a sacred spot and had them turned into lions.