The Olympic Games, both summer and winter, have been the most popular sports competition on the planet for centuries. They are held once every four years and were originally not only an entertainment event, as they had a bright religious aspect. So which modern state is considered the birthplace of the Olympic Games?
Instructions
Step 1
Of course, this is modern Greece, since the ancient Greeks were the first organizers of sports competitions near the city of Olympia. The first Olympic Games date back to 776 BC. BC, then they were held regularly every four years until 394 AD. e. During this period, 293 Olympiads took place in ancient Greek Olympia.
Step 2
The French helped in the revival of spectacular competitions, who at the end of the 19th century raised the issue of this tradition. In 1896, Pierre de Coubertin, whose name is forever inscribed in the annals of sports history, organized the Summer Olympics, which were then held regularly, with the exception of the time that fell on both World Wars. A little later - already in 1924 - the Europeans revived the winter competitions as well.
Step 3
But this is already the XIX and XX centuries, and what were the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece? As mentioned above, then they were the personification of not only sports achievements, but also a religious cult. Unfortunately, modern history does not have accurate information about the organization of the first competitions near Olympia, but scientists have at their disposal some important documents, sculptures and sketches of buildings of that period. In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were part of the widespread cult of a beautiful body combined with health and fitness.
Step 4
In ancient times, Olympic winners were honored on a par with war heroes. Myths tell that the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. founded by Hercules himself, who was the son of the god of thunder Zeus and a mortal woman. At the same time, the warring cities, peoples and ethnic groups declared the period of the competition a peaceful time, in which any conflicts and clashes were prohibited. Then, after the arrival of the Romans in Ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were banned by Emperor Theodosius I.
Step 5
In the second half of the 18th century, archaeological scientists carried out excavations at the site of modern Olympia in Greece, as a result of which sports and temple structures were found, which are currently visited by tourists from many countries of the world. The buildings in Olympia are still striking in their monumentality, strength, thoughtfulness and antiquity. After 100 years, the organized excavations in the Greek city were continued by archaeologists from Germany, since at that time romantic moods and nostalgia for bygone times were very common in Europe.
