History of the Olympics

History of the Olympics

• The Olympics originated in ancient Greece around 776 BC as a series of athletic competitions held every four years in Olympia.
• The games honored the Greek god Zeus and promoted physical fitness and friendly competition among city-states.
• The ancient Olympics featured events like running, wrestling, boxing, and chariot racing.
• After centuries of hiatus, the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin in Athens, Greece.
• The modern Olympics have grown into the world's foremost international sports competition, with thousands of athletes from around the globe participating in various sports.

Olympic Games

• The Olympics continue to promote unity, peace, and friendship among nations.
• Summer and Winter Games are held separately every four years, alternating every two years.
• The Olympic flame, symbolizing the continuity between the ancient and modern games, is lit during a ceremony in Olympia and travels to the host city, where it burns throughout the duration of the Games.

Olympic Logo

• The Olympic logo consists of five interlocking rings, designed by Pierre de Coubertin and adopted in 1913.
• The rings represent the five continents of the world - Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania - coming together in unity through sport.
• The colors of the rings (blue, yellow, black, green, and red) were chosen because at least one of these colors appears on the flag of every nation in the world.