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[[Image:Img214070839.jpg|right]]
[[Image:Img214070839.jpg|right]]
The '''Olympics''' are an [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] sporting event that was held from 776 B.C. to A.D. 394 and resurrected as a world-wide modern competition in the late 19th century. The first Olympics have been said by some to have marked the beginning of classical civilization.
The '''Olympics''' are the most important world sporting event, involving many differenct sports and athletes from practically every nation, competing under their national flag. The summer games have been held every four years since 1896. The host city is selected by the International Olympic Committee six or seven years beforehand. The smaller-scale winter games are held every four years starting in 1924. Starting 1994, they come midway between the summer games.
The next Olympics will be the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Feb 12-28, 2010.<ref> see [http://www.vancouver2010.com/ Official 2010 site]</ref>
The games are a source of national pride and international equality and sportsmanship. They are a very expensive proposition, costing the host billions of dollars--partially defrayed by television and tourist revenues. It is typical for strong local opposition to try to block a city from hosting the games.
==Ancient Greece==
The modern Olympics was named after an [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] sporting event that was held from 776 B.C. to A.D. 394.
According to a legend, [[Hercules]] built a temple to Zeus and wanted people to come and worship there, so he made a series of games to attract people. This event was so unifying that people started to count time by it.
According to a legend, [[Hercules]] built a temple to Zeus and wanted people to come and worship there, so he made a series of games to attract people. This event was so unifying that people started to count time by it.
==Origins==
==Origins==
In Greece itself a national program of Olympic Games, funded by Evangelos Zappas (1800-65), took place four times between 1859 and 1889, with limited success. The idea of a revival of the ancient games became popular in Europe thanks to Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937), the father of the modern Olympic movement.
In Greece itself a national program of Olympic Games, funded by Evangelos Zappas (1800-65), took place four times between 1859 and 1889, with limited success. The idea of a revival of the ancient games became popular in Europe thanks to Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937), the father of the modern Olympic movement.
== Future Games ==
== Future Games ==
The host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012 will be the city of [[London]].
The host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012 will be the city of [[London]], followed by [[Rio de Janiero]] in 2016.
The next Winter Olympics will be in Vancouver, british Columbia, Canada, Feb 12-28, 2010.<ref> see [http://www.vancouver2010.com/ Official 2010 site]</ref>
==Impact==
==Impact==