Olympic Games History

History of the Olympic Games

Olympic Games History – Even if you are not a sports enthusiast, there is something magical about the Olympics. Athletes undergo training for years before they can give it their all and deliver performances of a lifetime. We cry happy tears for the winners and sympathize with losers. There is a patriotic atmosphere around us as there are participants from all over the world, participating in the Olympics. There are a few facts about the Olympics we all must know.

The first Olympic games were held in Olympia, Greece in the 8th century B.C. They were held after every four years for 12 Centuries.

In ancient Greece, sponsorship, protection or fashion was not a cause of concern for the athletes. The games use to last 5 to 6 months back then. Women were allowed to take part in the Olympics games since 1900. The winter and summer Olympic took place in the same year from 1924-1992. Now they’re alternatively held every two years. There are only four athletes who have won medals in both summer and winter Olympics. English and French are the official languages of Olympics and they are complemented by the language of the host country. The Olympic torch is lit the old-fashioned way in an ancient ceremony at the temple of Hera, in Greece: Actresses, wearing costumes of Greek priestesses, use a parabolic mirror and sun rays to kindle the torch. From there the torch starts its relay to the host city. It is carried by runners, travels on a boat, on an aeroplane, on horseback, on a camel via radio signal, underwater and in a canoe. It has also been taken to space. The relay torch is supposed to burn during the whole event. In case the flame goes out, it can only be reignited by a backup flame which has been a lot in Greece as well. The five rings of the Olympic symbol, symbolize the five continents of the world. The six colours were chosen in the background because every country’s g=flag contains at least one of the colours. 23 different countries have hosted the Olympic games. The first mascot of the Olympic games was Waldi, the daschund at 1972 games in Munich.

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