There is so much hype about the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic games, however, there are so many fans that have no idea of how long the Olympics games have been going on for or even where they originally started. It’s time for avid fans to learn more about the history of the Olympic games, this way they can appreciate its’ progression as well as have fun watching the athletes compete. Now, in order to even watch the Olympic games, and to choose whether to watch both the Summer and Winter Olympics, you must know that the competitions are held every four years. However just recently, the Summer and Winter Olympic games were rescheduled to be held on alternating years (2 year spans between Summer and Winter). For instance, the Winter Olympics were held in 2002, and the Summer Olympics were held in 2004, both in different countries. Despite what is going on nowadays, the Olympics were originally held in ancient Greece, between the years of 776 BC and 393 AD. They were held, not as a sporting event, but instead as an event to celebrate Zeus, their god. In the 19th century proof of the games in ancient Greece was discovered, setting aside any doubts to the actual existence of the games thousands of years ago. Despite this, it was actually in 1896, that the first modern games were held in Athens, organized by a man names Pierre de Coubertin, who had been obsessed with the ancient games and had seen this as a way to promote unity between countries.

Although the locations of the games have changed these days, in ancient Greece the games were held every four years, like they are presently. Other distinct ways that the present games differ from those of ancient Greece, are the sports that are involved. Years ago, boxing, wrestling, the pentathlon, and chariot races were the most popular games, while these days, games such as those that involve both track and field games, such as long jump and numerous races. Games today differ even from those in 1896, such that at that time there were very few athletes competing compared to the present. Not more than 300 athletes would compete, and only from 14 countries, whereas presently there are over 10,000 athletes competing from almost 200 countries. As well, the number of events and different sports also was minimal compared to the present day. There have been many changes over the years to the Olympic games, however the main purpose of the event is still to bring together numerous people with a common interest and to have fun.

The Olympic games is an event where athletes around the world, try their hardest to outdo all their competitors, all of which consist of the best in their whole country. This is a very hard and stressful event for the athletes, and they deserve the utmost respect for allowing us to use them to represent our entire country’s ability in that particular sport. Many countries have fought to have the honour of hosting the games in their country, and there is still many more years of hosting to come, which assures that many different countries will have the opportunity to host one the world’s most important events, the Olympic Games.