by Maurice Sassoon

Created on: June 25, 2008   Last Updated: August 07, 2008

The first events resembling Olympic games were probably memorial services that were held about 3,400 years ago, in the year 1453 B.C. It was in honor of heroes who had died during the previous "Olympiad," or four-year period. The Greeks kept track of periods of time by Olympiads, or every four years. Archaeologists have dug up evidence of the accounts of the Games dating back to 776 B.C. To these Olympics, many Greek cities had sent, not only athletes, but also orators, poets and musicians to compete. Women were not allowed to watch these early games. Those that were qualified to participate in the Games were Greeks with good character. Each winner received a palm branch and a crown of leaves from olives trees that were considered sacred. The winners were acknowledged as heroes and received precious gifts from their home cities.

After the conquest of Greece by the Romans in 146 B.C., the latter also took part in the Games. The competition between the Greeks and the Romans led to deadly altercations, as a result of which, Emperor Theodosius terminated the Games.

The ancient stadium at Olympia was destroyed about 1,500 years ago by an earthquake. It was dug up in the year 1881, and much was learned about the ancient Olympics. Years later, a French baron, Pierre de Couberrin succeeded in reviving the Games. A stadium was built near Athens, Greece where the first modern Olympic games were held a few years later. The Olympic games that are held nowadays are a series of sports events in which the best athletes of many nations take part in feats of speed, strength and skill. The games are held every four years in various cities throughout the world. The site is chosen by an International Olympic Committee, which also establishes certain rules and regulations governing games. The games are patterned after the Olympic games of the ancient Greeks, held near Mount Olympus that was believed to be the home of the gods. There are more contests held in the modern Olympic games, totaling about fifty events. An athlete from the host nation who speaks for all the participants pronounces the Olympic Oath.

The Games are opened with an impressive ceremony. A lighted torch is carried by hand all the way from Olympia, Greece, and from it the Olympic Flame at the Games is lighted. Whenever a contest is completed, the flag of the winner's country is displayed. The Olympics symbolizes the singularity of sports that transcends politics and serves as a bridge that connects different cultures.

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