The history of the Olympic Games: how did they originate and survive to this day?

Tomorrow, February 4, 2022, in ChineseThe Winter Olympic Games will open in Beijing. 91 countries will take part in them, representatives of which will have a chance to win 109 sets of medals in seven sports. As always, the Olympic Games are an event that uses new technologies - right now all of Beijing is equipped with robots and other electronics that are needed to ensure the comfort and safety of guests from other countries. Perhaps in the coming days we will talk about the most interesting technologies that have been seen at the Olympics. Well, now I propose to remember where and how people decided to organize sports competitions in such a large format. We already know that the Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece, but how exactly this happened and how this tradition has come down to our days is known to few.

The Beijing Winter Olympics are starting very soon, so let's delve into the history of sports competitions

Interesting fact: The 2022 Winter Games will include competitions in biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, luge, ice hockey, as well as skating and skiing.

Content

• 1 Myths about the Olympics
• 2 First Olympic Games in the world
• 3 What sports are included in the Olympic Games?
• 4 Why did the Olympic Games disappear?
• 5 Why are the Olympic Games still being held?

Myths about the Olympic Games

There is no reliable information about how exactly the Olympic Games were invented - they were lost and scientists still have not found them. But there are two myths that describe this event.

The Olympic rings symbolize the unity of the five parts of the world.

The most famous myth says that the creatorThe Olympic Games in time immemorial became Hercules, who is a demigod, born of Zeus and Alcmene. When he cleared the stables of King Augius, the ruler not only did not give a reward, but simply kicked out the hero. Hercules decided to take revenge on him and returned with a huge army, after which he punished the offender. Around the plain where the battle took place, he planted an olive grove. And in the center of this area, he ordered sports competitions to be held every four years.

Sculpture of Hercules

According to another myth, the impetus to createThe Olympic Games were given by King Enomai. He organized sports competitions, the winner of which could marry his daughter Hippodamia. At the same time, the king was predicted that he would die at the hands of his son-in-law. And so it happened - the ancient Greek hero Pelop defeated him in chariot races. At the same time, the king broke his neck, so along with his daughter, he also received the status of ruler. To celebrate, Pelops ordered sports competitions to be held every four years.

Pelop on a chariot

First Olympic Games in the world

According to the works of ancient historians, the mostThe world's first Olympic Games were held during the reign of King Ifit, around 884-828 BC. In those days, Ancient Greece was a chaotic place where different kingdoms were constantly at war with each other. To protect the kingdom of Elis, King Ifit went to the ruler of Sparta and offered to organize sports competitions on the territory of Olympia belonging to him. Everyone liked this idea - no one else attacked Elis, and every four years, during the games, all wars stopped.

Ifit is the founder of the Olympic Games

What sports are included in the Olympic Games?

It is believed that during the first thirteenOlympic Games people competed only in running. But then the athletes began to engage in pentathlon, which included running, long jump, javelin throwing, discus throwing and wrestling. Even later, fistfights and chariot races began to take place as part of the games.

At first, the Olympic Games included only running.

The modern Olympic Games are divided into summer andwinter. The Summer Games program includes 28 sports in 41 disciplines. The Winter Games, as I noted at the beginning of the article, consist of 7 sports, which are divided into 15 disciplines.

Why did the Olympic Games disappear?

When Ancient Greece was invaded by Romehas changed. The program of the games included gladiator fights, which the Greeks did not particularly like. But this did not last long, because after the adoption of Christianity by Rome, the Olympic Games were canceled due to the connection with paganism. This happened during the reign of Theodosius I, around 394 AD. Then the Olympic buildings were destroyed by the barbarians.

"Disco Thrower" - the famous statue of the Athlete throwing the discus

See also: 2056 Olympics: what will it be like?

Why are the Olympic Games still being held?

The Olympic Games were revived after severalcenturies of oblivion by an ironic coincidence. One day, the monk Bernard de Montfaucon became interested in the history of Ancient Greece and decided that archaeologists needed to excavate at the site where, according to legend, the Olympic Games were held. In 1766, the traveler Richard Chandler managed to do this - he really found the ruins of ancient Greek structures near Mount Kronos. After this discovery, archaeologists joined the cause and many people began to talk about the delights of the Olympic Games.

Panathinaikos - the ancient stadium for the Olympic Games

In 1892 the French public figure Pierrede Coubertin gave a lecture that the Olympic Games are something that humanity sorely lacks. According to him, sports competitions carry the spirit of freedom, healthy competition and harmony. After these words, the authorities began to hold international competitions in various sports. In 1894, representatives of twelve countries officially decided to revive the Olympic Games. The venue for the new games was their homeland - Greece. The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.

Opening ceremony of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896

Over time, the Olympic Games beganimprove. Traditions like the Olympic torch relay, opening and closing ceremonies, talismans, oaths, and so on have emerged. In 1924, the Winter Olympics were added to the Summer Olympics. At first they were held in the same year. But in 1994, the decision was made to alternate the summer and winter games every two years.

First Winter Olympics in 1924

Also an important innovation was the fact thatThe Olympic Games were held in different countries. In which city of the world the games will be held, the International Olympic Committee decides. In our country, the Olympic Games were held twice: first in 1980 in Moscow, and then in 2014 in Sochi. Hosting guests from different countries is a great honor for each state. A huge amount of money is allocated for this. According to the results of the Oxford study, the Winter Olympics in Sochi were the most expensive. Initially, 12 billion dollars were allocated for this, but then the budget had to be increased to 22 billion dollars.

Closing of the 1980 Moscow Olympics

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Without a doubt, the Olympic Games arevery important and beautiful event. However, some people do not like them and criticize them for being expensive, doping scandals and so on. How do you feel about the Olympic Games? Write in the comments.