The Olympic Games :: Olympics History Greek Olympia Essays

The Olympic GamesThe Olympic Games argon an international sports festival that began in antique Greece. The original Greek games were arranged every fourth year forseveral hundred years, until they were abolished in the first Christian era.The revival of the Olympic Games took place in 1896, and since then they stoolbeen st get along withd every fourth year, except during World War I and World War II.Perhaps the basic difference between the ancient and modern Olympics isthat the former was the ancient Greeks way of saluting their gods, whereas themodern Games are a manner of saluting the athletic talents of citizens of eithernations. The original Olympics featured competition in music, oratory, andtheater performances as well. The modern Games have a more sumptuous athleticagenda, and for two and iodine-half weeks they are supposed to replace the animosityof international conflict with friendly competition. In recent times, however,that lofty high-minded has not always been at tained.The earliest reliable date that recorded floor gives for the firstOlympics is 776 BC, although virtually all historians presume that the Gamesbegan well before then.It is authentic that during the midsummer of 776 BC a festival was held atOlympia on the highly civilized eastern coast of the Peloponnesian peninsula.That festival remained a regularly scheduled emergence, taking place during the pre-Christian golden age of Greece. As a testimony to the religious nature of theGames, which were held in prise of Zeus, the most important god in the ancientGreek pantheon, all wars would cease during the contests. According to theearliest records, only(prenominal) one athletic event was held in the ancient Olympics--afoot turn tail of about 183 m (200 yd), or the length of the stadium. A cook,Coroibus of Elis, was the first recorded winner. The first few Olympics hadonly local appeal and were limited to one race on one day only men wereallowed to compete or attend. A fleck race --twice the length of the stadium--was added in the 14th Olympics, and a still longer race was added to the nextcompetition, four years later.When the powerful, warlike Spartans began to compete, they influenced theagenda. The 18th Olympics included rassling and a pentathlon consisting ofrunning, jumping, spear throwing, discus throwing, and wrestling. Boxing wasadded at the 23rd Olympiad, and the games keep to expand, with the additionof chariot racing and other sports. In the 37th Olympiad the do wasextended to five days of competition.The growth of the Games fostered professionalism among the competitors,and the Olympic ideals waned as royal family began to compete for personal gain,