Olympic Games
The Olympic Games have a very long history. They began in 777 BC in Greece
and took place every four years for nearly twelve centuries at Olimpia. They
included many different kinds of sports: running, boxing, wrestling, etc. All
the cities in Greece sent their best athletes to Olimpia to compete in the Games.
For the period of the Games all the wars stopped. So the Olympic Games became
the symbol of peace and friendship.
In 394 AD the Games were abolished and were not renewed until many centuries
later.
In 1894, a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, addressed all the sports
governing bodies and pointed out the significance of sports and its educational
value.
Two years later the first modern Olympic Games took place. Of course, the
competitions were held in Greece to symbolize the continuation of the
centuries-old tradition.
In 1896 the International Olympic Committee was set up. It is the central
policy-making body of the Olympic movement. It is formed by the representatives
of all countries which take part in the Olympic Games. The International Olympic
Committee
decides upon the programme of the games, the number of the participants and the
city-host for the Games. Over one hundred and fifty countries are represented in
the
International Olympic Committee now. Besides, each country has its National
Olympic Committee.
Summer and Winter Games are held separately. There are always several cities
wishing to host the Games. The most suitable is selected by the International
Committee.
After that the city of the Games starts preparations for the competitions,
constructs new sports facilities, stadiums, hotels, press centres. Thousands of
athletes, journalists and
guests come to the Games, and it takes great efforts to arrange everything.
There is always an interesting cultural programme of concerts, exhibitions,
festivals, etc., for each
Games.
Russia joined the Olympic movement in 1952. Since then it has won a lot of
gold, silver, and bronze medals. In 1980 Moscow hosted the Twenty-Second Olympic
Games.
The latest Olympic Games were held in Barcelona. Russian sportsmen got medals
for their records in many sports events.
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