The Origin of the Olympic Games

The origin of the Olympic Games.

The topic I’m to speak about is under the title “The Origin of the Olympic Games” and it deals with the great meaning of the Olympic Games in our live. It’s impossible to speak about modern Olympic Games without mentioning its history. Perhaps the main difference between the ancient and modern Olympics is that for the ancient Greeks the Games were a way of saluting their gods, when the modern Games are a manner of saluting the athletic talents of people of all nations.

The first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece in 776 B.C. Athletes, artists and even poets gathered at the temple of Zeus at Olympia. There, writers and artists shared their works and the athletes held a race that was roughly 191 yards long. As time went on, the festival became more complicated and more and more athletic events were added. The main events were running, wrestling, boxing, horse racing and a pentathlon (five different events). In the early games valuable prizes were awarded. Later, the prize was a branch of wild olives. But the thing is, that only amateur, nonprofessional athletes were allowed to compete in that Game. In our days everyone allowed either or not he or she is even paid to perform, to compete in the Olympic Games. After the roman emperor Theodosius banned the games in 393 A.D., the Olympic Games disappeared for almost 1500 years.

In 1896 a member of the French nobility, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, suggested that the games should be brought back. And in 1896 the first modern games was held in Greece, and since then they have been held every four years – except during times of World War 1 and World War 2. Thirteen countries competed at the Olympic Games in 1896. Nine sports were on the agenda: cycling, fencing, gymnastics, lawn tennis, shooting, swimming, track and field events, weightlifting and wrestling.

(Olympic games by Leslie What).

In our days there are much more competitions and each one has its own history. For example:

Rowing: this kind of sport is said to be born in ancient Egypt, when people have to move their boats not only down the rivers, but up the rivers too. (Olympic Games and Its History by Z. Pavlovskaya)

Pentathlon is another kind of sport that has its own history too. In ancient Greece the pentathlon event tested an athlete’s all-around strength and ability. It was revived for the modern games as a similar test taking place over five days. From 1912 to 1924 the pentathlon consisted of a sprint, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw and a long-distance run. Later, the pentathlon was changed to be a test of “military” skills. It includes horseback riding, fencing, pistol-shooting,