The Olympic Games

The Olympics began 2,700 years ago in ancient Greece, in a town called Olympia.

To begin with, the only event in the Olympics was a short race. Soon, new sporting events were included...

Wrestling

Boxing

Discus

Javelin

Long Jump

Chariot Racing

After the fall of the Greek empire, the Olympic games were forgotten until...

In 1894 the International Olympic Commitee was founded. The Olympic games would be held every four years.

Athletes from all over the world, from many different countries compete in the Olympics.

Olympic winners get medals. Gold for 1 st place Silver for 2 nd place and, Bronze for 3 rd place.

As well as the Olympics, there are also the Paralympics. These games are for disabled people.

Today there are hundreds of different events at the Olympics...

Badminton

Hockey

Gymnastics

Judo

Rowing

Swimming

Archery Athletics Badminton Basketball Beach Volleyball Boxing Canoeing Cycling BMX Cycling Mountain Bike Cycling Track Cycling Road Diving Equestrian Fencing Football Weightlifting Wrestling Gymnastics Handball Hockey Judo Rowing Sailing Shooting Swimming Synchronised Swimming Table Tennis Tennis Taekwondo Trampoline Triathlon Volleyball Water Polo

The Olympics began as a summer games. The First Winter Olympics were held in 1924 Up until 1994 the Winter and Summer Olympics were held at the same time. Now the Winter and Summer Olympics are held 2 years apart.

The Olympic flag was first used in Belgium in 1920 It has 5 interlocking rings The rings represent the 5 continents that came together for the Olympic Games – Africa, Asia, America, Australasia and Europe. The colours of the rings are blue, yellow, black, green and red.

The idea of the Olympic flame began during the ancient Olympic Games. The flame was lit for each Olympics and burned constantly during the Games. The flame travels from Greece to the city where the Olympic Games will take place.

This year, the Olympic games will be held in Tokyo in Japan.