From the History of the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games are an international sports festival that began in ancient Greece. In those days Greek games took place every four year. They included not only sports competitions but also competitions in music, oratory and theatre performances. The earliest information about the Olympic Games goes back to 776 BC, but historians think that the games began long before that. The ancient Olympics had only one athletic event - a footrace or a race for runners of about 183 metres (the length of the stadium). Only men could compete or watch the games. During the games there was peace in the country. When the powerful, warlike Spartans began to compete, they changed the programme of the games and included more sports in it – chariot races and others. The winners of the games became national heroes. The Roman emperor Theodosius ended the Olympics in 394 AD because he thought that they were a pagan festival.
In 19th century the French nobleman Pierre de Coubertin got the idea to bring the Olympic Games back to life. With the help of the people who supported him he organized the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. They were a success. Athletes from thirteen countries came to Greece to compete in nine sports. Russia took part in them too. Now the number of countries taking part in the Olympic Games is much larger and so is the number of sports in which athletes compete. Like in ancient times, the Olympic Games take place every four years, yet in 1926 the tradition of the Winter Olympic Games also began. The International Olympic Committee heads the Olympic movement. Among other things the Committee chooses the place for the coming Olympics. It is a great honour for a city to become an Olympic host city. The Olympic Games are probably the most important international sports event. Millions of people watch them, supporting their favourite teams and athletes. Like in ancient times winners of the Olympics become national heroes in their countries.