The first Olympic Games were held in Olympia

• The first Olympic Games were held in Olympia in Greece in 776 BC • They took place every 4 years and were held in honour of the Greek Gods. • All the events of the Olympic Games were connected to war. • They included boxing, wrestling, javelin and discus throwing, running, jumping and chariot racing. • The ancient Olympic Games continued until about AD 394.

• The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. • A French man by the name Pierre de Coubertin came up with the idea of reviving this competition. • He thought that bringing young athletes together from all over the world would help bring world peace. • Only 13 countries were represented at the First modern Olympic Games. • The games have been held every 4 years since, except in 1916 during World War 1 and in 1940 and 1944 during World War 2.

• 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.

• • • • • 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 Taekwondo • • Trampoline Triathlon Volleyball Water Polo