The History of the Olympics

The Olympic Games are the most famous sporting event in the world. They began in ancient Greece over 2,700 years ago. The modern Olympics started again in 1896. Today, athletes from over 200 countries compete in the Summer and Winter Games.

Ancient Olympics

The ancient Olympics were held in Olympia, Greece, starting in 776 BCE. At first, there was only one event: a short running race. Over time, more events were added like wrestling, boxing, and chariot racing. The games were held every four years and wars were paused so athletes could travel safely.

Modern Olympics

A Frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin helped restart the Olympics in 1896 in Athens, Greece. The Winter Olympics were added in 1924. Women were first allowed to compete in 1900. Today, the Olympics bring together thousands of athletes and billions of viewers from around the world.

Fun Facts

• The Olympic flame is lit in Olympia, Greece, and carried by relay to each host city.
• The five Olympic rings represent the five continents of the world.
• The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were the first to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Did You Know?

In the ancient Olympics, all wars between Greek city-states were paused during the games so that athletes and spectators could travel safely.