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THE OLYMPICS 
The Olympic Games are an international sports festival that began in ancient Greece. The original Greek games were staged every fourth year for several hundred years, until they were abolished in the early Christian era. The revival of the Olympic Games took place in 1896, and since then they have been staged every fourth year, except during World War I and World War II (1916, 1940, 1944).
The original Olympics featured competition in music, oratory, and theater performances as well. In recent times, however, we don't do all that.
THE ANCIENT OLYMPICS
The earliest date that recorded history gives for the first Olympics is 776 BC.
Festivals were regularly scheduled events, taking place during the pre-Christian golden age of Greece. As a testimony to the religious nature of the Games (which were held in honor of Zeus, the most important god in the ancient Greek pantheon), all wars would cease during the contests. According to the earliest records, only one athletic event was held in the ancient Olympics--a foot race of about 183 m (200 yd), or the length of the stadium.
When the powerful, warlike Spartans began to compete, they influenced the agenda. The 18th Olympics included wrestling and a pentathlon consisting of running, jumping, spear throwing (the javelin), discus throwing, and wrestling. Boxing was added at the 23d Olympiad, and the Games continued to expand, with the addition of chariot racing and other sports. In the 37th Olympiad (632 BC) the format was extended to five days of competition.
"Track and Field," Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 96 Encyclopedia. (c)
1993-1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
(c) Funk & Wagnalls Corporation. All rights reserved.
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