The Olympic Games

•The Olympics began 2,700 years ago in ancient Greece, in a town called Olympia.•The games were part of a religious festival.

Can you find

Greece?

• The games honoured Zeus, the king of the Greek gods.• They were staged every four years and people from all over the country came and watched and took part.

• To begin with, the only event in the Olympics was a short sprint.• Soon, the Greeks thought of new sporting events.• Some of these events included...

Wrestling

Boxing

Discus

Javelin

Long Jump

Chariot Racing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpoKdPNM10M

• Only men, boys and unmarried girls were allowed to take part in the Olympic games.• Married women were not allowed to take part.• Any women found trying to compete would be punished.

• After the fall of the Greek empire, the Olympic games were forgotten until...

• In 1894 the International Olympic Commitee was founded. • The Olympic games would be held every four years, just like in Ancient Greece.

• Athletes from all over the world, from many different countries compete in the Olympics.

• Olympic winners get medals.• Gold for 1st place• Silver for 2nd place and,• Bronze for 3rd place.

• As well as the Olympics, there are also the Paralympics.• These games are for disabled people.

• Unlike Ancient Greece, women are allowed to compete in the Olympic games.

• Today there are hundreds of different events at the Olympics...

Badminton

Hockey

Gymnastics

Judo

Rowing

Swimming

• The last Olympic games were held in Beijing, in China, in 2008.• This is the stadium in Beijing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsDY1Ha83M8

• Next year, in 2012, the Olympic games will be held in London in England.