The Olympic Games, both summer and winter, have for many centuries been the most popular sports competition on the planet. They are held once every four years and initially were not only an entertainment event, as they had a bright religious aspect. So which modern state is considered the birthplace of the Olympic Games?
Instruction manual
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Of course, this is modern Greece, since the ancient Greeks became the first organizers of sports competitions near the city of Olympia. The first Olympic Games date back to 776 BC. e., then they were held regularly every four years up to 394 already BC. e. During this period, ancient Greek Olympia hosted 293 Olympics.
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The French helped the revival of spectacular competitions, which at the end of the 19th century raised the question of this tradition. In 1896, Pierre de Coubertin, whose name is forever recorded in the annals of sports history, organized the Summer Olympic Games, which were then held regularly, with the exception of the time that fell on both World Wars. A little later - already in 1924 - Europeans revived winter competitions.
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But this is already the centuries XIX and XX, and what were the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece? As mentioned above, then they were the personification of not only sporting 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 its health and physical development.
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In ancient times, Olympic winners were honored on a par with war heroes. Myths narrate that the first Olympic Games in 776 BC founded by Hercules himself, the former son of the thunder god Zeus and a mortal woman. At the same time, hostile cities, peoples and ethnic groups proclaimed the competition period as a peaceful time in which any conflicts and clashes were prohibited. Then, after the Romans came to Ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were banned by Emperor Theodosius I.
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In the second half of the XVIII century, archaeological scientists excavated the site of modern Olympia in Greece, as a result of which sports and temple structures were found, which tourists from many countries of the world are currently coming to see. The buildings in Olympia and now strike with their monumentality, strength, thoughtfulness and antiquity. After 100 years, organized excavations in the Greek city were continued by archaeologists from Germany, since at that time romantic moods and nostalgia for bygone days were very common in Europe.
