The Olympics, a spectacle that captures the world’s attention, have a deep and intriguing history. The modern Olympic Games were brought to life in the late 19th century by Pierre de Coubertin, a French historian, with the inaugural event taking place in Athens. However, the roots of the Olympics stretch back almost 3,000 years, to the original Games held in Ancient Greece.
Sports of the Ancient Olympics
The ancient Olympics showcased a variety of sports that are still familiar to us today, such as running, long jump, discus, wrestling, and boxing. Additionally, they included unique events like chariot racing and a primitive form of combat sport known as pankration.
Evolution of Modern Olympic Sports
In the first modern Olympics in 1896, athletes competed in nine sports – athletics, cycling (road and track), fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. These sports have remained a part of the Olympic program, but others have come and gone over the years.
Memorable Moments in Summer Olympic Games History
From Athens to Rio, over the past 125 years, the Games have traversed five continents, added and removed events, weathered boycotts, and were only canceled three times due to the World Wars. The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics will mark the 33rd edition of the modern Games.
What Sports Are Not in The Olympics, But Should Be?
Despite the evolution of the Olympics to include a broad range of sports, there are still some globally popular sports that are not part of the Olympic program. Sports like cricket, polo, darts, squash, and bowling have a massive global following and are played at a highly competitive level, yet they are not included in the Olympics.
So, what’s your take? Which sports do you think should be included in the Olympics and why? Let’s get the conversation started. Who knows, we might just influence the future of the Olympic Games!
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Let’s take a look at the #Olympics from a historical view.https://t.co/VwEzkdFVfo#Olympics2024 #OlympicGames #OlympicsGoldRush
— Poputainment (@poputainment) July 26, 2024