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What are the Olympic Games?

An illustration of a male athlete standing on a podium in first place.

The Olympic Games are a group of sporting events where different countries compete to see who can win at different games and sports. In 2024, the Olympics started on Friday 26 July in Paris.

More than 10,000 athletes representing over 200 countries competed for 300 gold medals. They competed in a wide variety of athletic contests and sports such as swimming, gymnastics, badminton, tennis, and boxing.**

The Olympic Games take place every four years in a different country. The next Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.

An illustration of a male athlete standing on a podium in first place.
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History

How did the Olympic Games begin?

An illustration of male athletes in a sports stadium in Ancient Greece. One is carrying a discus, one is carrying a baton and one is carrying a javelin.

The Olympic Games began over 2,700 years ago in Olympia, in south west Greece. Every four years, around 50,000 people came from all over the Greek world to watch and take part.

The ancient games were also a religious festival, held in honour of Zeus, the king of the gods.

There were no gold, silver and bronze medals. Winners were given a wreath of leaves and a hero's welcome back home. Athletes competed for the glory of their city and winners were seen as being touched by the gods.

Before the games began, messengers were sent out to announce a 'sacred truce' or a peace. This meant that any wars should be called off so that people could travel safely to Olympia.

The entire games were dedicated to Zeus. Visitors flocked to see the Temple of Zeus. Inside stood a huge gold and ivory statue of the king of the gods himself.

An illustration of male athletes in a sports stadium in Ancient Greece. One is carrying a discus, one is carrying a baton and one is carrying a javelin.
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Find out more about the history of the Olympic Games

The ancient Olympics wasn't just about the sport, it was a religious festival too. Find out what it was like to visit the ancient games.

How did the Olympic Games begin?

There were no gold, silver and bronze medals in the Olympic Games. Find out more with Bitesize - KS2 History.

How did the Olympic Games begin?

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Geography

Where were the last Olympic Games held?

A map of Europe with France highlighted in dark green

In 2024, the Olympic Games were held in Paris, the capital of France. The city is home to some of the world's most famous landmarks, such as the Palace of Versailles, the Alexandre III Bridge and the Eiffel Tower, which was seen during the Games.

There were also events taking place in Marseille such as the sailing competition and some of the football which took place in the Stade Velodrome.

The surfing competition took place in the island of Tahiti, a French territory in Polynesia.

A map of Europe with France highlighted in dark green
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Why do we have the Olympics?

The Olympics Logo: five interlocking circles in different colours. blue, black, red, yellow and green

The modern Olympic Games were brought back by Pierre de Coubertin. He was a great promoter of physical education in schools. He was also a historian, and very interested in Ancient Greece.

Coubertin believed that a competition between countries would help promote physical activity and bring people together to promote peace.

These interests led him to revive the ancient Olympic Games and in Athens in 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held.

The Olympics Logo: five interlocking circles in different colours. blue, black, red, yellow and green
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Why is physical activity important?

Physical activity means any movement that burns up your body's energy. There are lots of things you can do including walking, cycling, dancing or doing sport. It's important to do physical activity because it keeps your body strong and healthy. There are many benefits such as:

  • improving muscle and bone strength
  • improving fitness and heart strength
  • helping with your mental health
  • better concentration
  • helping you to sleep better

Find out more about how to stay healthy

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