"Ancient Olympics
- They were for the first held in 776 before Christ, and then every four years during the summer months.
- They took place in the Greek town of Olympia.
- Only men were allowed to compete in 10 events: running, the pentathlon, jumping, discus, javelin, wrestling, boxing, the pancration (combination of wrestling and boxing), chariot racing, and horse racing.
- Every winner was crowned with an olive twig and treated like hero for the rest of his life.
- The ancient Olympic Games lasted more than 12 centuries and were symbol of Greek unity and national spirit.
Modern Olympics
- The first Games in modern history were held in Athens in 1896.
- They were proposed by a French historian, Pierre de Coubertin.
- Summer Games have been held every four years since (except war years).
- The first Winter Olympics were in Chamonix, France, in 1924.
- These days, the Olympics are held every two years, the Summer and Winter Games alternating.
- The International Olympic Committee is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Today its membership consists of 105 active members and 32 honorary members.
- President is Jacques Rogge.
- Official languages are French and English (and host country's official language when necessary).
- The symbols are the Olympic flag and the Olympic fire.
- The flag is white with five circles (yellow, red, green, blue and black), each standing for one of the continents.
- The fire is lit on the Olymp, which is the official start of the Games.
- The Olympic Cup is an award given annually by the International Olympic Committee.
is awarded to an institution or association with a record of merit and integrity in actively developing the Olympic Movement.
- An Olympic medal is awarded to successful competitors at one of the Olympic Games.
There are three classes of medal: gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third.
The summer Olympic sports
Archery, Athletics (100 to 10,000 meter races, hurdle races, relay races, 20 and 50km walks, marathon races, long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault and shot put as also decathlon, discus throw, javelin throw and hammer throw), Aquatics (diving, swimming, synchronized swimming, water polo), Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Table Tenis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling"

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