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Olympic Games - the largest international multi-sport event, held every four years. Tradition, which existed in ancient Greece, was revived at the end of XIX century French philanthropist Pierre de Coubertin. Olympic Games, also known as the Summer Olympic Games, held every four years, starting from 1896, with the exception of years, who came to world war. In 1924 the Winter Olympics were created games that were originally in the same year as the summer. However, since 1994, the time of the Winter Olympics shifted by two years relative to the time of the summer games.
The Olympic idea and after the ban of the ancient races has not disappeared for good. For example, in England during the XVII century, has repeatedly held "Olympic" competitions and contests. Later, similar events were organized in France and Greece. However, these were small events, worn, at best regional. The first true forerunners of the modern Olympic Games are the "Olympia", which are held regularly during the 1859 -1888 period. The idea of the revival of the Olympic Games in Greece belonged to the poet Panagiotis Sutsosu, bring it to life public figure Evangelis Zappas. *
In 1766, as a result of archaeological excavations at Olympia were discovered sports and temple structures. In 1875, archaeological research and excavations continued under German leadership. While in Europe were in vogue romantic and idealistic notions of antiquity. The desire to revive the Olympic mindset and culture spread quickly throughout Europe. French Baron Pierre de Coubertin (French Pierre de Coubertin), then interpreting the contributions of France, said: "Germany has unearthed the remains of ancient Olympia. Why France can not restore the old grandeur? '.
According to Coubertin, that poor physical condition of the French soldiers was one of the reasons for the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 -1871. He sought to change that with the help of improved physical culture French. At the same time, he wanted to overcome national self-interest and to make a contribution to the struggle for peace and international understanding. "Youth of the World" was to take on in sports, and not on the battlefields. Revival of the Olympic Games in his eyes seemed the best solution to achieve both goals.
At the congress, held on 16 -23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne (University of Paris), he presented his thoughts and ideas of the international public. On the last day of the congress, it was decided that the first modern Olympic Games to be held in 1896 in Athens, in the country, the ancestor of the Games - Greece. To organize the Games, founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The first president of the Committee was the Greek Demetrius Vikelas, who was president until I Olympic Games 1896. Secretary-General was Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
The first modern Games were a great success. Despite the fact that participation in the Games athlete took only 241 (14 countries), the Games were the largest sporting event ever passed since the time of ancient Greece. Greek officials were so pleased to have put forward a proposal for the "eternal" the Games Olympics in their homeland, Greece. But the IOC has introduced a rotation between different states to every 4 years changed the venue of the Games.