Origin of the Olympic Games: Then & Now
An Olympiad: the four-year interval between each occurrence of the now internationally acclaimed Olympic Games.
This modern spectacle of athleticism and competition famously originated in Ancient Greece, in Olympia, to be precise – where historic remnants of the games can still be found today. While the exact date of the first ancient Olympics is somewhat vague, it’s thought to be around 776 BC. But it wasn’t until 1896 that the Olympic Games were later revived and brought into the modern era – with the first modern-day Olympics being held in Athens that same year.
Since then, the now global event is scheduled to be held each Olympiad thereafter. Although they began in Greece, the Olympic Games are now held in a different city every four years – allowing the international community to simultaneously uphold tradition while also showcasing their cultural heritage and sporting prowess, with each hosting city bringing its own local flavor to the games.
If you’re completing a sports journalism degree, you’ll no doubt learn a great deal about the origins of the Olympics, and how they have shaped and influenced our current-day versions of the event. For everyone else, here’s a historic snapshot of how the Olympic Games have unfolded through time.
776 BC: Olympic Origins in Olympia
Some 3,000 years ago, the Olympic Games were heavily intertwined with Ancient Greek mythology. According to historian Tony Perrotet, the ancient Olympics were the “total pagan entertainment package… The Woodstock of antiquity… A sheer spectacle.”
But what made the Olympic Games of Ancient Grecian times so spectacular? It was a heavily religious event, and in addition to highlighting astounding displays of athletic prowess, the ancient games also featured ritualistic animal sacrifices to Grecian deities, as well as an array of other side attractions – including clairvoyants, fire-eaters, and even prostitutes.
140 BC: Olympic Decline Through the Rise of the Roman Empire
The rise of the Roman Empire saw the Romans take over the Olympics. Reincarnated into the Roman Olympics, this era saw the construction of huge stadiums and colosseums.
If we thought the Ancient Grecian Olympic rituals were barbaric, the Roman Olympic traditions were even more brutal: competitors would often be required to fight to the death, purely for the entertainment of spectators.
1896: The First Modern Olympics in Athens
Some 1500 years later, following the decline and eventual disappearance of the Olympic Games after the fall of Rome, they were revived, reappearing as the first-ever modern Olympics. These were held in Athens in 1896.
The 1896 Athens Olympics saw – fittingly – a Greek competitor named Spyridon Louis win gold in the marathon event.
1900: The Olympic Games Go to Paris
In 1900, the Olympics went global – as part of Paris’ World Fair, also known as the Paris Exposition Universelle.
As well as shining a spotlight on the French capital, the international attention generated by the Parisian Fair thrust the modern Olympics into mainstream awareness.
This was just the beginning of a sporting event that would become a modern-day household name – through years of war, turmoil, and disruption.
1916: Berlin Olympics Cancelled in the Turmoil of World War 1
Deep in the throes of war, the 1916 Olympic Games – scheduled to be hosted in Berlin – simply didn’t happen.
Sadly, the German capital had already begun making all the relevant preparations – having built its Olympic Deutsch Stadium in 1913.
But apparently, the event was not meant to be.
1940: Japan Olympics Forfeit Due to the Sino-Japanese War
With the advent of the Sino-Japanese War, Japan chose to forfeit its hosting of the 1940 Olympic Games.
It was somewhat of a surprise Japan had been selected to host the games in the first place, as they were the first non-Western country to have been picked, and had also recently withdrawn from the League of Nations.
In the end, mounting pressure and ‘diplomatic scorn’ from the international community led the Japanese Government to forfeit.
1944: World War 2 Sees The London Olympics Cancelled
Another world war, another cancellation of the Olympic Games. This time, London was the planned hosting city. But with WW2 in full force, this event, too, was not meant to be.
1952: Newly Formed Nations Hit up the Helsinki Olympics
In 1952, Helsinki held the torch. The games went ahead, with the attendance of some newly formed nations: Israel, and the communist Soviet Republic, also known as the USSR.
Needless to say, tensions were mounting in the face of an impending Cold War – and things were decidedly uneasy, between the U.S. and the USSR in particular.
1972: The Munich Olympics Terror Attacks
1972 saw the Olympic terror attacks in Munich – also known as the Munich Massacre.
Orchestrated by a Palestinian militant group, Israeli Olympic athletes were held hostage, and murdered.
The reason behind this brutality? To shine a light on the rapidly worsening Palestine/Israel conflict.
1980: The Boycott of the Moscow Olympics
In 1980, the United States led a boycott of the Olympic Games that were to be held in Moscow.
This initiative was set in place in protest of the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. It saw U.S. allies Great Britain and Australia join the boycott of the games.
1996: Olympic Bombing Attack in Atlanta
Another world event that disrupted the Olympics was Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park bombing in 1996.
Tragically, there were two fatalities, as well as multiple injuries.
2024: Paris Set to Host This Year’s Olympic Games
Fast forward to today, and the modern Olympics are still going strong: Paris is set to host the present-day Olympic Games, from July to August 2024.
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From their origins in Ancient Greece to their decline under the Romans, the Olympic Games have certainly been through it all. From world wars, civil unrest, and a multitude of other historic events – the Olympics have seen their fair share of disruption.
One thing is for sure – the Olympic Games will continue to see more world events unfold, as the games continue through time – each Olympiad, into the future.
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