The Ancient Olympic Games

The Ancient Olympic Games were held every 4 years between 776 BC and 393 AD in Olympia, Greece. The games were held in honour of the Greek god Zeus. At first only running events were included but later the Games included:

• Chariot racing

• Foot racing with armour

• Pentathlon: running, long jump, wrestling, discus and javelin

• Pankration: a blend of boxing and wrestling

Interesting Facts

• Winning athletes were awarded olive wreaths and palm branches.

• Male athletes came from all over the Greek world and later from colonies as far as Spain and Africa to compete.

• Women were not allowed to participate or watch the Games; consequently they organized their own games entitled the Heraea Games, dedicated to the Greek goddess Hera.

The Modern Olympics Games

The modern Olympics were founded by Pierre de Coubertin, a French born athlete, poet and educator. Pierre de Coubertin was a keen boxer, fencer, horse rider and rower and was confident that sport was a facilitator for moral energy.



1894: Pierre de Coubertin announced he wanted to revive the Olympic Games after recognising a growing interest in the ancient games. However, his announcement was met with little enthusiasm.

• 23 June 1894: The International Olympic Committee was formed.

1896: The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece. The games were a great success and wenton to be held in different host cities every 4 year interval (an Olympiad), as the ancient Olympics were.

• 311 male athletes
• 14 countries contested
• 43 events in 9 sports

1900: The Olympic Games were held in Paris and for the first time female athletes were not allowed to compete. until the 1900 games in Paris.

1904: The Olympic Games were held in St. Louis, Missouri.

London 1908

London held the Olympic Games for the first time in 1908. The original host was Rome, however Mount Vesuvius had erupted 2 years prior.

• 1971 male athletes
• 31 female athletes
• 22 countries
• 110 events in 22 sports
• The Olympic stadium = White City
• Great Britain won 145 medals

Interesting Facts

• For the first time the marathon was fixed at 26.2 miles, the distance from Windsor castle to the royal box in Wembley stadium. This distance became the fixed from the 1924 games.

• The Olympic stadium was built in just 18 months.
  

London 1948

London held the Olympic Games for a second time in 1948. The games followed a 12 year gap due to World War II. The games were seen by many as a chance to restore spirits of international harmony and human endeavor.

• 3714 male athletes
• 390 female athletes
• 59 countries
• 136 events in 17 sports
• The Olympic stadium = Wembley Stadium
• Great Britain 23 medals (12th)

Interesting Facts

• The games were nicknamed the ‘Austerity Games’ as rationing continued and no Olympic village was constructed. Foreign athletes were accommodated in old wartime barracks and schools whilst the athletes from London lived at home.

• For the first time starting blocks were used for sprint races.

• The Games were broadcasted on home television for the first time.

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