The Olympic Games are an international sports festival

They included not only sports competitions but also competitions in music, oratory and theatre

The ancient olympics had only one athletic event - a footrace or a race

During the games there was peace in the country. When the powerful, warlike spartans

In 19 century the French nobleman Pierre de Coubertin got the idea to bring

Now the number of countries taking part in the Olympic Games is much larger

The noble idea of the Olympic Games is to make all people friends be

The Olympic Games are probably the most important international sports event. Millions of people

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The Olympic Games are an international sports festival that began in ancient Greece. In those days Greek games took place every four year.

They included not only sports competitions but also competitions in music, oratory and theatre performances. The earliest information about the Olympic Games goes back to 776 BC, but historians think that the games began long before that.

The ancient olympics had only one athletic event - a footrace or a race for runners of about 183 metres (the lenght of the stadium). Only men could compete or watch the games.

During the games there was peace in the country. When the powerful, warlike spartans began to compete, they changed the programme of the games and included more sports in it. The winners of the games became national heroes. The Roman emperor theodosius ended the olympics in 394 AD because he thought that they were a pagan festival.

In 19 century the French nobleman Pierre de Coubertin got the idea to bring the Olympic Games back to life. With the help of the people who supported him he organized the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. They were a success. Athletes from thirteen countries came to Greece to compete in nine sports. Russia took part in them too.

Now the number of countries taking part in the Olympic Games is much larger and so is the number of sports in which athletes compete. Like in ancient times, the Olympic Games take place every four years, yet in 1926 the tradition of the Winter Olympic Games also began.

The noble idea of the Olympic Games is to make all people friends be competing on football fields, courts and stadiums. The International Olympic Committee heads the Olympic movement. Among other things the Committee chooses the place for the coming Olympics. It is a great honour for a city to become an Olympic one.

The Olympic Games are probably the most important international sports event. Millions of people watch them, supporting their favourite teams and athletes. Many things have changed but like in ancient times winners of the Olympics become national heroes in their countries.