1. The Olympic Games

2. The Olympics is one of the biggest and most popular events in the world.  Let’s take a look at the history of the Olympics, and what the Games are all about.

3. The original Olympics took place in Ancient Greece about 2,800 years ago!  They were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus.  Every four years, athletes all over Greece would come together and compete.

4. The winners received olive wreathes or crowns to wear
The winners received olive wreathes or crowns to wear.  Only men competed in the Games and there were fewer events than in the modern Olympics.  The Games were always held in the city of Olympia.  

5. In 393 AD, the Games were outlawed by the Roman emperor Theodosius I
In 393 AD, the Games were outlawed by the Roman emperor Theodosius I. Many Romans believed the Games were not consistent with the state religion of Christianity.

6. In 1890, a French historian named Baron Pierre de Coubertin decided to try to start up a modern Olympic Games. He formed an International Olympic Committee. The idea was to have a different country around the world host the Olympics every four years.

7. The Committee decided that Greece should host the first modern Olympics, just as they did in ancient times. Olympia had been destroyed in an earthquake centuries before, so the Olympic Games of 1896 were held in Athens, Greece.

8. Only 14 nations participated in the 1896 Games, but the Olympics were back! Many athletes demanded the Games be held in Greece every year, but the International Olympic Committee decided to rotate between different countries each year.

9. In 1900, the second modern Olympics were held in Paris, France
In 1900, the second modern Olympics were held in Paris, France. This was the first time that women were allowed to compete.

10. In 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France
In 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France. The winter games allowed for snow and ice based sports like
Hockey
Figure Skating
Skiing

11. As the years have passed, the Olympics have become increasingly popular. Athletes from almost every country on Earth compete in the Olympics and winners are celebrated as heroes.

12. The symbol of the Olympics can be seen here
The symbol of the Olympics can be seen here. Each ring represents one of the continents of the world. The colors used are those that appear on flags of countries in the world. The rings are united by the spirit of the Olympics.

13. At the Olympic ceremonies, often doves are released
At the Olympic ceremonies, often doves are released. This is because doves are a symbol of peace. The Olympic Games are a time when countries are supposed to forget about wars and conflicts between them and come together to celebrate in peace.

14. Of course that has not always been the case.
In 1980 the United States did not like when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.
The Olympics were being held in the Soviet Union that year.
So the United States decided not to go.
It was a way of protesting.

15. Four years later the Olympics was held in the United States in Los Angeles so the Soviet Union decided not to go. Other times countries have been excluded or banned from the Olympics because of their politics.

16. In the ancient Olympics, the winners won olive wreaths, but in the modern Olympics, the winners win medals. The 1st place winner gets a gold medal, second gets a silver medal and third place wins the bronze.

17. After the competition the three medal winners usually stand on a podium where the flags of their countries are shown.  Then the national anthem song of the winning country is played. 

18. The Olympics always begins with an Opening Ceremony
The Olympics always begins with an Opening Ceremony.  It usually takes place in the Olympic Stadium. 

19. At the Opening Ceremonies, there are always dances and performances
At the Opening Ceremonies, there are always dances and performances. Then the athletes from each of the countries walk into the stadium holding their nation’s flag. The ceremonies finish with the lighting of the Olympic flame.

20. Months before the games are to begin, the Olympic torch is lit at Olympia, Greece.  Various runners bring the torch to the site of the Olympics for that year. Sometimes they need to get on a boat!

21. Finally, on the night of the Opening Ceremonies, a runner brings the torch into the stadium and uses the torch to light a giant cauldron. The flame burns for the two weeks of the Olympics.

22. Many of the track and field events like running, shot put, long jump and high jump take place in the Olympic stadium. But an Olympic city must also have other arenas, pools and venues where sports can take place such as…
Basketball
Swimming
Diving
Gymnastics
And others

23. The Winter Olympics are usually held in Northern cities where there is plenty of snow and ice.  All the sports of the Winter Olympics involve snow or ice in some way. 

24. At each Olympics, there is an Olympic Village where the athletes stay
At each Olympics, there is an Olympic Village where the athletes stay.  Before 1924, the athletes, coaches and trainers at the Olympics had to stay in various hotels around the city.  The Olympic Village allows all the athletes to stay in one place.

25. Each Olympic Games also has a mascot who represents the Games
Each Olympic Games also has a mascot who represents the Games. For instance, the 1980 Games in Moscow had Misha, a bear cub. The 2006 Winter Games in Turin had Neve and Gliz, an animated snowball and ice cube.

26. The Olympics is a chance for the whole world to come together and celebrate sports and the athletes who compete.