Olympics had been been held in Greece with athletes from the Greek and Ottoman Empire in 1859, 1870, 1875, 1888, but the first international Olympic Games was held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Baron Pierre De Coubertin, a French historian and teacher, had been inspired to found the IOC (International Olympic Committee) by other imitations of the ancient Olympic Games that had been set up. 241 athletes from 14 countries participated in 43 events, and the games were a huge success. Although the idea to hold the Games in Athens on a permanent basis was widely supported by athletes and officials alike, the IOC determined that this would not happen: instead, the Games would rotate around the world. The second Games were held in Paris, where although there wasn't a stadium, women competed for the first time. After the games in St.Louis in 1904, the Games hit an all-time popularity low. Out of the 650 athletes that had participated in then Missouri Games, 580 of them had been American. The Olympic Games were saved to continue by the Intercalacated Games in 1906. These games were held halfway between the 1904 Olympic Games and the 1908 Olympic Games. This started the increase in popularity and the size of the Olympics.The Games are a part of the Olympic Movement. It's purpose is to:
- Link sport with education
- promote sport and its advantages
- to 'build a better world through sport practised in a spirit of peace, excellence, friendship and respect'.
- Men Sports: 75 countries on four continents
- Women's Sports: 40 countries and on three continents
A winter sport must be practised in 25 countries on three continents, regardless of the gender of its participants.
Image: http://globalbhasin.blogspot.ie/2012/08/obscure-world-flags.html
Image: http://globalbhasin.blogspot.ie/2012/08/obscure-world-flags.html
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