The Olympic Journey

The History of The Olympics

Photo from Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Olympics are one of the world’s oldest and most celebrated sporting events. Starting in Ancient Greece in 776 B.C., people competed in events such as running, javelin, discus and wrestling. The Olympics began as a religious festival that honored Zeus, the chief deity of the Greek pantheon. Athletes from different city-states would come together every four years to compete and challenge each other's skills, and the four year gap inbetween each new year was called an Olympiad. The event was not only about competition, but it also brought communities together by celebrating the winners who showcased the highest strength and ability.

The games were held at the sanctuary of Zeus, and competing athletes would offer sacrifices to Zeus and pray for victory. A “truce” was created that paused war in Greek city-states to allow safe travel for participants. Athletes were required to compete fully nude and covered in olive oil to act as a skin protectant and loosen muscles. Winners would receive a symbolic olive wreath, rather than medals or money, a tradition started by Hercules. They would also receive other benefits such as extreme fame, and in some places, free meals for the entirety of their life. 

The ancient Olympic Games began to decline after being influenced by the increasing power of Rome. This shifted the games from a Greek event to an international event within the Roman Empire. The Roman era started the rise of professional athletes and also changed the view of the games from a religious ritual to a more entertainment focused event. This caused slight conflict, leading to the ban of the games by Emperor Theodosius I because he viewed them as pagan celebrations while Rome was becoming the center of Christianity.

After more than 1,000 years without the games, the Olympics were revived at the end of the 19th century. French educator Pierre de Coubertin was influenced by the Greek tradition, causing him to start an international sporting event to promote excellence and dedication. The first modern games were held in Athens, Greece, and included 14 different countries. The games started as just a marathon race, but eventually many more sports and events were added. Coubertin focused on fair play “Olympism”. He created the Olympic rings, as well as, the saying "Citius, Altius, Fortius", meaning “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. 

Since their revival, the modern Olympic Games have grown into a global event, attracting thousands of athletes from countries around the world. The Winter Olympics were introduced in 1924 to provide a wider variety of sports and to accommodate different climates. Women also began competing in the Olympics in 1900, marking an important step toward inclusivity and expanding the reach of the Games. The first games to be televised were the 1960 Rome Games. These games increased popularity and brought more spectators to the event. The Paralympics were also introduced in 1960 and the Youth Olympics in 2010. Over time, the Olympics have continued to add more sports and events. Currently, the Olympics feature 329 different events.

The Olympics are not only known for athletic competition, but also for their symbols that represent unity. The five rings, torch and flame, are all important symbols for the Olympics. Each ring represents a continent and the torch and flame honor the Ancient Games.

From starting in ancient Olympia, to the global display of today, the Olympics have always celebrated achievement and unity. Over many years, the games have evolved, inspired and expanded to allow all types of athletes to participate. With each competition, the Olympics continue to bring people together, honor the past and inspire the future.