1
THE
OLYMPIC GAMES
The
first Olympic Games took place in Ancient
Greece in 776 BC.The greeks were fond of music,drama and all kinds of
physical
exercises.They were also religious people.The famous games at Olympia
were held
in honour of Zeus and always incuded lots of religious ceremonies as
well as
sporting events.The Olympic Games took place every leap year and all
cities in
Greece sent their best athletes to take part in them.The strongest
athletes
came together to run,jump,wrestl,throw the discus and box. There were
also
chariot races.The winners did not get medals.The highest honour was an
olive
wreath and people treated the winners as national heroes.
It
became a tradition to stop wars for the time
of the Olympic Games.After the Romans conquered Greece
there were no more Games at Olympia.
Pierre
de Coubertin revived the classical Games
and in 1896 295 athletes from 13 countries attended the first modern
Olympic
Games in Athens.The Olympic Flame has always been a symbol of peace,
harmony and
friendship.The five circles on the Olympic flag symbolize five
continents.The
capitals of many countries have been Olympic cities.The best athletes
of the
world take part in the Olympic Games for the honour of their countries
and for
the glory of sports.
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