About Olympics

Knowledge about Olympics is essential for a better understanding of the international event. Olympics is the largest sports event in the world. The event is divided into summer and winter Olympics. These are held at a gap of four years. Initially the games were conducted in the same year. However since 1992 the summer and winter games are held two years apart. Familiarizing yourself about Olympics is sure to be an enriching experience.

The Olympic Games started in 776 BC. The venue of the games was Olympia, Greece. The game was held here till AD 393. There are many myths about Olympics. Legend has it that Heracles founded the ancient Olympic Games. He built the Olympic stadium in honor of his father, Zeus. Another legend surrounding the games relates to the concept of “Ekecheiria”. The ancient Olympic Games were of great religious importance. There were contests as well as sacrifices and rites performed in honor of Zeus and Pelops during the games.

In the ancient Olympics only young men were allowed to participate in the game. The competitors participated naked as the games were meant to be a celebration of the accomplishments of the human body. The winners were crowned with olive leaves which symbolized peace and hope.

When the Romans gained power the Olympics became less important. It was seen as a pagan event by the Christians. In 393 AD Theodosius I banned the games altogether putting to an end a thousand year old tradition. It was Evangelos Zappas who was enthusiastic about Olympics and revived the games once again. He was instrumental in renovating the Panathinaiko stadium where the games were held from 1870 to 1875. The Olympic Games which had been discontinued were given a new lease of life.

In 1894 the International Olympic committee (IOC) was formed. The French nobleman, Pierre Fredy initiated the setting up of the committee. The first game of the IOC was the Summer Olympics 1896. It was held in Athens, Greece. The venue of the second Olympic Games was Paris, France. It was in this Olympic Games that women were allowed to participate as well.

The most common symbol of the Olympics is the five Olympic rings. These represent the five continents of the world. The motto of the games is "Citius, Altius, Fortius" which when translated means "swifter, higher, stronger". The games begin with the Olympic flame being lit in Olympia. It is then carried to the host country by the players in relay. The mascot of the games is a human or an animal figure which represents the culture of the host country. The 2008 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to start in August in Beijing. Come to witness this grand event to know more about Olympics.

For more information about Olympics, visit Travour.com