THE OLYMPIC GAMES
The Olympic games originated in Ancient Greece and can be traced back as far as 776 BC. They were held at Olympia in the western part of the Peloponnese, Greece.
Initially a 1 day period, the Olympics were extended to 3 days and then 5 days because of the addition of events. They included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration and equestrian events. Another event, the Pentathlon, included running, jumping and discus throwing.
Only men were allowed to compete. Each event in the Ancient Olympics had only 1 winner, he was called the Olympionic. Eventually in AD 393, the Roman Emperor Theodosius banned them because of the Pagan rituals involved.
Late in the 19th Century the French Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived the Games as an international contest, also called the Summer Olympics. In 1924 the Winter Games were started for Winter Sports.
The Olympics have been held every 4 years since they were revived, except during the First and Second World Wars.
Written and Researched By
Cody B. Mitchell
Sources:
Athens, Greece http://www.athensguide.org/olympics-history.html
Olympic.org https://www.olympic.org/ancient-olympic-games/the-sports-events
INFOBOX
Summary: Originally a festival to the Greek gods, today the Olympics are a worldwide sporting event
Date: Began in 776 B.C.; was banned in A.D. 393; Restarted in A.D. 1896
Location: Began in Greece and is now held in many countries around the world