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to that. They were held continuously for over 1.000 years until they
were abolished in the reign of King Theodosius about 392 A.D.
The important sports in the original Olympic Games were
running, jumping, wrestling, throwing the discus and throwing the
javelin. Only men competed and they wore no clothes in order to have
greater freedom of movement. Each competitor had to take the
Olympic Oath - a promise to behave in a sportsman-like fashion.
The modern Olympic era began in 1894 when Frenchman
Baron Pierre de Coubertin decided to revive the ancient Greek
tradition of celebrating health, youth and peace with a sports festival.
Baron de Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) and the first Olympiad took place in Athens in 1896. Since then
the Olympic Games have been held every four years with only two
exceptions because of the two world wars.
Even though the modern Olympic Games embrace the whole
world, the connection with Greece is still very strong. A lighted torch
is brought all the way from Greece, carried by a relay of runners, in
order to light the Olympic Flame which burns all through the Games.
As in ancient Greek times, the competitors still take the Olympic Oath.
The long-distance race is still called the Marathon.
Now the modern Olympic Games are so professional and
competitive. Athletes train for years to take part in the Olympics and
some countries spend a lot of money on equipment and facilities.
In modern times the Olympic movement has become an
enormous and expensive organisation, It's controlled by the
International Olympic Committee, which consists of members from all
the participating countries. The famous flag of the IOC shows five
rings of different colours linked together. The rings represent the five
continents.