Explain how the struggles of Odysseus to reach Ithaca are a contest between Poseidon and Athena as well.

Odysseus was aided by Athena, yet antagonized by Poseidon. Poseidon and Athen competed for Athens, which Athena won. Poseidon was angry about this, so now the uncle, Poseidon, fights with his neice, Athena. Poseidon was mostly angry at Odysseus for blinding his son. Odysseus blinded the Cyclops with a sharpened olive pole, which is directly associated with Athena due to her gift to the mortals being olives. The cyclops prays to Poseidon that if he is actually Poseidon's son, that Poseidon wouldn't allow Odysseus to return home.