The time between the Games is 4 years, which equates to the time measurement of one Olympia. So, the Olympic Games were named after the city Olympia. And the ancient Greeks named the time period of 4 years, in which the games took place, after the city.
Today this term is understood as the name for the modern Olympic Games. Their story began at the end of the 19th century. Since 394 AD no Olympic Games took place anymore, until the French baron Pierre de Coubertin suggested in 1896, that they should be carried out again.
Besides the sportive aspect, he had the idea of international understanding in mind. Since then, the Games were interrupted only by the war years – the two world wars of the 6th, 12th and 13th Olympic Games.
They were further developed to an international sports event with almost any sport discipline. Participation is open to athletes of all countries.
They are carried out as Olympic Summer Games, every 4 years and in strict accordance to the rules of the classical ancient Games. From 1924 on Olympic Winter Games took place, as well.
picture: opening firework of the Olympic Games in Barcelona, 1992
The Olympic Games after their reintroduction – sorted by date
|1916||Berlin cancelled due to war||1972||Munich|
|1940||Tokyo cancelled due to war||1996||Atlanta|
|1944||London cancelled due to war||2000||Sydney|