The History of the Olympic Games
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Long ago Greeks often waged wars. The ruler of such a small state, Elis, wanted to live in peace with all neighbours. He was a good diplomat because his negotiations were successful and Elis was recognized a neutral state. To celebrate this achievement, he organized athletic games. The games were held every four years in Olympia on the territory of Elis. The first games which later were called the Olympic Games were held about a thousand years before our era. Winners were called "olympionics", they were awarded olive wreaths and cups of olive oil. The olympionics of ancient Grees became very popular. Best craftsmen were chosen to make honourary cups, many poets wrote and recited in public poems about the best athletics. Only men could take part in the Olympic Games. Women were not allowed even to watch the competitions at the stadium under the fear of death penalty. Magnificent strong bodies inspired artists and sculptors. They painted wall pictures and made statues of marble and bronze. The Olympic Games had been held for about eleven hundred years, until the emperor Theodosius banned them for religious reasons in 394 A. D. The revival of the Olympic Games began long time afterwards, in 1892. On the 23rd of June 1894 the International Congress of amateur sportsmen made an important decision: to revive the Olympic Games and to establish the International Olympics Committee which would be responsible for the administration of the modern Olympic Games. |