Since the ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD the games have been a regular international sporting feature every four years. In 1894, Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) which is the governing body of the Olympic Games whose whole structure and activities are laid down under the Olympic Charter. Thousands of sportsmen compete in a whole range of these international sporting events. These games are further
divided into Winter and Summer Olympics which are held alternately every two years. Each category of Olympics is however held after every four years. Then there are also the Para-Olympic Games for the disabled, which immediately follow the respective Olympic
Games. Since 2001 it has been decided by the IOC to contract the management of the games to volunteer host cities.
But the Games have evolved over the years and many changes have been made in the rules governing the events. Some of these include the holding of the Winter Games for ice and snow sporting events, the Para-Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage
athletes. Economic and commercial considerations have resulted in the Olympics shifting away from pure amateur participation, as envisioned by Coubertin, and participation of professional athletes is now allowed. Similarly, media considerations resulted in
the creation of corporate sponsorship and the games were allowed to be commercialized.
Almost all countries of the World are represented in the Olympics, which has resulted in the Games often been affected in one way or another because of the mutual rivalries and animosities of individual countries. The size of the Games also creates problems
of boycotts, bribery of officials, terror threats and doping incidents. In 1916, 1940, and 1944 the Games were cancelled because of the World Wars. Participation was limited in the 1980 and 1984 Games because of the large boycotts as a result of the Cold
War. The Games themselves have grown in size to truly global proportions. The Games are celebrated with a number of historic rituals and symbols, and grand opening and closing ceremonies are held. The Olympic Torch is traditionally lighted at Olympia and then
brought to the venue of the Olympics with much fanfare. The Olympic Flag is also similarly eulogized. Athletes in their thousand compete in the Olympic Games in ever increasing sporting events. Gold, silver, and bronze medals, are given to the first second
and third position holders respectively and a chance to achieve international fame and recognition.
Lately the Games have been used by the host countries to show off their economic capabilities and national power.
Tags: