Ancient
In ancient times the Olympic Games took place in Olympia, in the south of Greece. They had these games to honor Zeus, who had a large sanctuary next to the stadium where the games were. The games would be held every four years in August or September. The games would last for five days. The first Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. and continued through A.D. 393. The Greeks measured their years by the Olympics.
The Olympics was a very popular event, in which thousands of people from Greece went to watch or compete. Only male citizens could compete in the games. If you were a slave, a woman or man who committed certain crimes could not compete. Women couldn't even watch the games. If there was a war going on before the games started, they would call a truce during the time of the Games so that all competitors could go and people could go to watch.
In the ancient Games, there was fewer sports than we have now. A few of the sports were footraces, wrestling, and horse chariot races. If you got first place in the games you were awarded with a crown of wild olive leaves, front row seats for events, and free meals for life. There was only first place prizes. No second or third.
Modern
In 1896, a French man named Pierre de Coubertin started the modern Olympic Games. Many traditions from the ancient Games were continued in the modern ones. But many things have also changed. In modern times both men and women can compete in the Games. The Olympics are very popular and people come from all over the world to watch.
In ancient times the Olympic Games took place in Olympia, in the south of Greece. They had these games to honor Zeus, who had a large sanctuary next to the stadium where the games were. The games would be held every four years in August or September. The games would last for five days. The first Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. and continued through A.D. 393. The Greeks measured their years by the Olympics.
The Olympics was a very popular event, in which thousands of people from Greece went to watch or compete. Only male citizens could compete in the games. If you were a slave, a woman or man who committed certain crimes could not compete. Women couldn't even watch the games. If there was a war going on before the games started, they would call a truce during the time of the Games so that all competitors could go and people could go to watch.
In the ancient Games, there was fewer sports than we have now. A few of the sports were footraces, wrestling, and horse chariot races. If you got first place in the games you were awarded with a crown of wild olive leaves, front row seats for events, and free meals for life. There was only first place prizes. No second or third.
Modern
In 1896, a French man named Pierre de Coubertin started the modern Olympic Games. Many traditions from the ancient Games were continued in the modern ones. But many things have also changed. In modern times both men and women can compete in the Games. The Olympics are very popular and people come from all over the world to watch.