THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Nowadays almost everyone likes sports. Many people paticipate in some kinds of sports such as football, rwimming or running. A lot of people are interested in sports as spectators. They enjoy watching a football game, a swimming contest or an athletic contest.
Among the biggerst sporting events in the world is the Olympic Games. They began in Greece long ago. It was held every four years at Olympus. Only men participated in the games. Women could not even watch them in the stadium.
At the first Olympic games there was only one event, a running race. Later games had more events, long jamp, javelin, boxing & chariot racing. The only prize the winner received was a crown of leaves. But it was a great honour to win.
When the Romans conquered Greece, they continued to hold the Olympic Games. But they started to give the winners big prizes. Then people began to cheat, so the Roman Emperor Theodosius stopped the Games.
In 1896 a Frenchman, Baron Piere de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games. The games was held in Greece. It became the first Modern Olympic Games. The games was held in Greece. It became the first Modern Olympic Games. People from every country in the world can participate, and each time the games is held in a different country. At each new Olympic Games there is a special opening ceremony: the lighting of the Olympic torch. Runners carry the Olympic flame from Greece all the way tothe host country from this purpose.
Like the ancient games, the modern games takes place every four years. About 30 sports are played. Today the winners receive medals as prizes instead of a crown of leaves. the 1988 Olympic Games was held in Korea, the 1992 was in Barcelona, Spain and the 1996 was in Atlanta, Georgia, in the USA.