The origin of the Olympic Games dates back to the very beginnings of Western history. But they have only recently been resurrected. Brief history.
Ancient Greece
The first written record of the Olympic Games dates from 776 BCE. At the time, Greece was not united politically, but rather was made up of city-states whose inhabitants shared the same culture. The best athletes from the different cities compete in the Pan-Hellenic Games, of which those in Olympia, in honor of Zeus, are the most prestigious. They take place every four years. A sacred truce is then in effect between the cities often in conflict.
Only Greek and free men can participate in it, and practice sports naked. Women can however be spectators… if they are not married! Events include the discus and javelin throw, long jump, running and chariot racing, boxing and wrestling. To honor the victors, their hometown can erect a statue for them, dedicate a poem to them, or even mint coins with their effigy!
The games take place for at least 1,000 years, until Roman Emperor Theodosius banned them, in AD 393. As Christianity becomes the official religion of the Empire, Theodosius closed pagan temples and banned pagan ceremonies, including the Olympics.
1896: Athens
Although other initiatives precede it, it is to the Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin that we owe the birth of the modern Olympic Games, in 1896 in Athens. At 19e century, sport and physical education are gradually finding their place in the education of young people. Coubertin sees the revival of the games as an opportunity for countries to compete peacefully and promote the universal values of Olympism: excellence, friendship and respect.
The first games consist of 43 events, contested by 241 athletes from 14 countries. In 2016, there were 306 events and 11,238 athletes from 207 countries.
1924 : Chamonix
It takes a few years before winter sports are included. During the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924, the last to which Pierre de Coubertin contributed, the first Winter Olympic Games were organized in parallel in Chamonix. The Summer and Winter Games will take place in the same year until 1992, often in different countries. Since the Winter Games in Lillehammer (Norway) in 1994, they have been postponed by two years.
The 1924 Winter Olympics consisted of 15 events, contested by 258 athletes from 16 countries. In 2018, there were 102 events and 2,922 athletes from 92 countries.
1948: London
Following World War II, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann wanted to rehabilitate injured or crippled veterans. In 1948, he organized games for them who coincide with the London Olympics. Over time, this side event will become the Paralympic Games.
1976 : Montréal
After Expo 67, Montreal is once again the center of the world during the 1976 Olympic Games. It is the second French-speaking city to host the Summer Games after Paris.
The event was marked by a strong police presence (following the deadly hostage-taking at the Munich Games in 1972), the boycott of 22 African nations, and the difficulties in completing the Olympic Stadium on time.
Moreover, the Stadium will not be completed until 1987 and its mortgage will not be paid until… 2006!
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