Olympic and Paralympic Games

The Summer Olympic Games are the biggest multisport event in the world. More than 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries compete in more than 30 different sports! The Paralympic Games take place soon after the Olympic Games, and they're the biggest international event for athletes with disabilities. The Olympics and Paralympics usually take place every four years.

How did the Olympic Games start?

The Olympics started in a place called Olympia in 776 BCE and took place every four years in Ancient Greece, until about 393 CE. Women were not allowed to compete, and married women couldn't even watch the Games! Most of the men who took part were soldiers. They had running, jumping and throwing competitions, and also did boxing and chariot racing. The athletes wore no clothes at all when they were competing!

When did the Modern Olympic Games start?

The Modern Olympics started in Athens in 1896 and grew quickly. By 1924, in Paris, there were around 3,000 athletes, including more than 100 women, from more than 44 different countries. This was also the year that the first Winter Olympics were held. The Paralympic Games first took place in Rome, Italy, in 1960.

What do the athletes win?

The athletes who come first, second and third in a competition win medals. First place gets a gold medal, second place a silver medal, and third place a bronze medal. Athletes also win points for their country. The country with the most points at the end of the Games is the winner.

What are the Olympic Rings?

The Olympic Rings are the symbol of the games. The five linked rings are, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red, and they are on a white background. They represent the five continents and the meeting of athletes from around the world.

What is the Olympic torch relay?

The flame is lit in Olympia several months before the Olympic Games. Lots of different people carry the torch and then pass it to the next person. They carry it around different places in Greece, and then they finally take it to the country that is hosting the event that year.

Where were the 2024 Olympic Games?

The 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics took place in France, mainly in Paris. There were 32 sports altogether – 28 main sports, plus four newer sports: skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breaking (breakdance). The Summer Paralympics had 22 different sports. Around 15 million people came to Paris for the Olympic Games, and billions more people watched the event on television. Did you watch the 2024 Olympic Games?