The ancient Olympic Games were founded in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BCE.

They were held every four years as part of a religious festival in honor of the Greek god Zeus.

The ancient games featured events like running, wrestling, boxing, the pentathlon, and chariot racing.

An 'Olympic Truce' was declared during the games to ensure that athletes and spectators could travel to Olympia safely.

The games were abolished in 393 CE by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who saw them as a pagan festival.

The modern Olympic Games were revived in the late 19th century, largely through the efforts of the French educator Pierre de Coubertin.

The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.

The Winter Olympics were added to the program in 1924.

The games have often been a stage for political statements and conflicts, such as the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the boycotts of the Cold War era.

The Olympics have grown into a massive global event that celebrates athletic achievement and international cooperation.