The Olympic Games
The world's largest international multi-sport competition, revived in 1896 from a festival held in ancient Greece.
- Ancient
- Olympia, Greece, traditionally from 776 BCE
- Modern revival
- Athens, 1896
- Founder of modern Games
- Pierre de Coubertin
Ancient origins
The ancient Games honoured Zeus and were held every four years at Olympia. They continued for over a thousand years before ending in late antiquity.
The modern Games
Pierre de Coubertin helped found the International Olympic Committee in 1894, and the first modern Games took place in Athens two years later. Winter Games began in 1924.
Widening participation
Women first competed in 1900, and the Paralympic Games, which began in 1960, now follow the Olympics in the same host city.