The Olympic Games

The Olympic games

The Olympic games are international athletic events being held once in every four years. It has a history of 2800 years. In ancient days players from various parts of  Greece would assemble in Olympia and participate in the games.  The first recorded Olympic games were held in 776 BC, in honour of the Greek God, Zeus and continued till 394 A D. Later it was banned by a royal order of the Emperor of Rome, Theodosius. When they were stopped, competitions were held in literature, arts, dance, and music.

The Olympic Games were revived in 1894by a French nobleman Baron Pierre de  Coubertin. The motto of the game is ‘Swifter, Higher and  Stronger’.The olympic committee has framed the rules and regulations. There was a break during the period of world war I and World war II.

The revised Olympic games were conducted in 1896 in Athens. There are three  medals given to the winners-gold, silver and bronze, according to their positions in the events.

The Olympic games attract athletes of all countries. It is a symbol of international friendship and brotherhood. The Olympic symbol consists of five rings or circles linked together representing the five continents-Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and America and with five the different colours-blue , yellow, black, green and red.

The torch is first lit at Olympia in Greece and taken to the places of events by relay runners. Earlier, the athletes were crowned by olive branches. In modern times the winners are awarded medals and certificates.