The History Of The Olympic Games
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Started in Ancient Greece as a sporting competition between various Greek city-states, the Olympic Games have always been a showcase for outstanding athleticism and tradition. The Games were revived in the late nineteenth century with the hope of becoming a worldwide event showcasing the skill of amateur athletes. They went on to embody this ideal, and it is only recently that professional athletes have been allowed to compete. The Games have also grown to include a huge variety of team and individual sports, giving any country the opportunity to succeed. In this video, http://www.WatchMojo.com outlines the long and storied history of the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games date back to the eighth century BC, being held in Olympia, Greece until roughly 5 AD. Instead of being an international competition, challengers from various city-states in Greece would battle in sporting and chariot racing events. Combining sport, and sacrificial rituals, the games were of great religious significance. They eventually fell out of favor when the power of the Romans increased in Greece and Christianity was imposed.
It was in the late nineteenth century that historian Baron Pierre de Coubertin had the idea to re-stage a global sporting event, and it was in 1894 that the International Olympic Committee, or IOC, was born. It was at this point it was decided the games should rotate from country to country, thus engaging the whole world. It was an important stipulation at that time that all participating athletes be amateur, and not professional, athletes – a rule that has since been changed.
Athens, Greece was chosen as the first host city of the modern Olympic Games for the summer of 1896. Only fourteen countries participated, and competition was for male athletes only. These Games included such sports as cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. Rowing events were canceled due to weather problems. Despite this and other obstacles, the games were touted as a success, and Paris, France was chosen as the host city for 1900.
In 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France to showcase snow and ice sports, such as figure skating and ice hockey.
Originally, the Summer and Winter Olympics were held in the same year, every four years. This was changed as of 1994, when they were switched to alternating, even-numbered years, and thus there is now an Olympic competition every two years.
The 1916 Summer Games were canceled because of the first World War, and neither the Summer nor the Winter Games were held between 1936 and 1948 because of World War II.
The games have evolved significantly since the days of Ancient Greece, but even today the Olympics are an exciting event for all to behold.
