Long, long ago in a world far, far away lived a handful of self-reliant cities which are now known as Greece. Greece’s religion belonged to the chief god Zeus and the people of Greece decided to honour their many gods by commencing their first Olympic Games.
Greece’s first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BC. The games only came around every four years and most of the events revolved around fighting and track and field. They were; discuss, running, equestrian, pankration, shot-put, wrestling and boxing.
In the Olympics there were a number of ceremonies such as; the parade of flags, the claiming of the games to be open, the Olympic flag raised, doves released as a symbol of peace and Olympic oath taken by athletes.
The games were very rewarding to the winner and the victor received a Loral wreath which symbolised long life and great wealth.
After all the years the games went on they were eventually ceased by a man called Theodosius the first which accused the Zeus of being a pagan god and legally abolished the games because of this. The ancient games ended in 394 AD.
The Modern Olympics started in 1896 as a symbol of peace to prevent countries from fighting and causing war and make countries compete instead. The modern Olympic Games are continuing to this very day.
By Kobi Campbell 5/6S
