The Olympic Games

Did you know that Olympic Games first began in 776 B.C. in Greece, originally as religious celebration in honor of the god, Zeus, not as a competition between the big countries for big awards? It was the highest honor to be allowed to participate in the Olympics, and only males of good character were chosen to take part in these sports events. Women, slaves, non-Greeks, and people who had ever been in any kind of trouble in society could not participate. Because the participants performed naked, that is they did not use wear any clothes, the women were not allowed to watch the Olympic Games. At the first Olympic Games, in 776 B.C., there was only one event, footrace of 200metres. After the thirteenth Olympic Games, however, other events were included, too; wrestling, disgus rowing, and chariot racing. The competitions were held every four years, just as they are today. The Olympic athletes had a ten-months training period to prepare for the competition. They devoted themselves entirely to their training during this time. They had a special diet and followed a difficult but carefully designed training program. The athletes did not work, instead their families and home city-states supported them completely. Olympic winners were given many exceptional privileges by their city-state: they did not have to pay taxes, and they were given the best seats in the local theater for the rest of their lives. People believed that winners not only chosen by gods, but also they became like gods themselves through the winning. In 394 A.D. the Olympic Games were stopped by Emperor Theodosius II of Rome because he think that Olympic Games were bad for Christian society in the point that Games encouraged people think about their body rather than the spirit. In 1896, the modern Olympic Games began. Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France was the father of the modern Olympic Games. He believed that an international sports competition would be good way to create peace and good feelings among the people from different countries. Women were first invited to participate in the modern Olympics in 1912. Since then, women’s events have become very important and popular. People look forward to watching the women’s gymnastics and volleyball events in particular because women have shown great sports ability in these actions, but they also excel in many other sports as well. Female athletes have changed people’s ideas about what women can do with their lives.