History of the Olympic Games

Olympic Games Overview

• The Olympics are a prestigious international sporting event for athletes from around the world.
• There are two types of Olympic Games: Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games, both held every four years, with a two-year gap between them.

Olympic Games History

• The original Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece over 2800 years ago, in 776 BC.
• The first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece in the summer of 1896.

Founding and Symbols

• Pierre de Coubertin from France is the founder of the International Olympic Committee and is known as 'The Father of Olympics'.
• The Olympic symbol consists of five interconnected rings in blue, yellow, black, green, and red, displayed on a white background.
• The Olympic flame is always lit at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece.

Awards and Motto

• Since 1904, the top three athletes in each event have been awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively.
• The Olympic motto is "Citius - Altius - Fortius", which is Latin for "Faster - Higher - Stronger".

Hosting and Paralympics

• The Olympics are held in different countries every time.
• The Paralympic Games for athletes with impairments are held every four years in the same country that hosts the Olympics.

Learn about the prestigious international sporting event, its origins, and evolution over time, from ancient Greece to modern-day Olympics.