Many people around the world watch the Olympic Games. It is a huge sports competition. The Games began long ago in Greece. They were held in a place called Olympia. That place is in Greece. Let's see how they began. The Summer Olympic Games happen every four years. There are Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics.

The ancient Olympic Games lasted for about 1,200 years. At first, the only event was one footrace. It was called the stadion. It was about 192 meters long. Its name is the origin of the word stadium. Later, the Games added a pentathlon. That was a set of five events. It had a long jump, discus and javelin throws.

Then the Games came back. A Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, led the effort to bring them back. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. At the 1896 Olympics, the winner got a silver medal and an olive branch. A Greek runner, Spyridon Louis, won the first Olympic marathon. The Olympic marathon is a very long running race. It is about 26 miles.

Gold, silver and bronze medals were first given at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis. At the Olympics, first place wins a gold medal. Second place wins a silver medal. Third place wins a bronze medal. In the ancient Olympics, only men from Greece could take part. There were no women's events. Women first competed in the modern Olympic Games in Paris in 1900.

Now look at the symbols. Here is the first one. The Olympic symbol is five rings linked together. Here is the next one. The Olympic flag was flown at the Olympic Games for the first time in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920. Here is the last one. The Olympic motto is Latin: Citius, Altius, Fortius. It means faster, higher, stronger. Say it out loud.

Next, look at the flame. Here is how it works. Before each Olympics, a flame is lit in Olympia, Greece. It is lit with the rays of the sun and a curved mirror. Then it is carried by torch to the host country. This is not an ancient custom. The torch relay began with the 1936 Olympic Games.

The Olympics have grown over the years. Here are more firsts. The first Olympic Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy, in 1960. Now look ahead. Here is what comes next. As of November 2026, the next Summer Olympics are planned for Los Angeles, California, in 2028.

Words to know

• stadion: ancient footrace
• pentathlon: five-event contest
• marathon: very long race

The short version

The Olympic Games began long ago in Greece. The modern Games started in Athens in 1896. The Summer Olympic Games happen every four years. The five rings, the flame lit in Olympia and gold, silver and bronze medals are all part of the Games.

Quick facts

• The ancient Olympic Games lasted for about 1,200 years.
• The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
• Gold, silver and bronze medals were first given at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis.
• The first Olympic Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924.