The modern Olympic Games or the …

The modern Olympic Games or the Olympics (French: Jeux Olympiques) are leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games are considered the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating. The Olympic Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart. The first Olympics were held at Olympia in Greece in 776 BC. The prestige and glory of the Olympics spread far and wide. With the advent of Christianity, the games lost their importance, as it was believed that they encouraged pagan worship in temples built to honour the Greek Gods. It was Theodosius I who ordered the total destruction of the Olympia Sanctuary’s temples and other structures in the year 394 AD, which ended the era of the ancient Olympic Games. It was due to the efforts of Baron de Coubertin that the modern Olympics of the modem era began in 1896 and were held every four years except during the two World Wars. After the success of the 1896 Games, the Olympics entered a period of stagnation that threatened their survival. The Olympic Games held at the Paris Exposition in 1900 and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904 were side shows. The Games in Paris did not have a stadium but were notable for being the first time women took part in the Games. When the St. Louis Games were celebrated roughly 650 athletes participated, but 580 were from the United States. The homogeneous nature of these celebrations was a low point for the Olympic Movement. The Games rebounded when the 1906 Intercalated Games (so-called because they were the second Games held within the third Olympiad) were held in Athens. These Games were, but are not now, officially recognised by the IOC and no Intercalated Games have been held since. The Games attracted a broad international field of participants and generated great public interest. This marked the beginning of a rise in both the popularity and the size of the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was constituted in 1894. It had 15 representatives including Coubertin. The first Olympic medal was won by America’s James Connolly in triple jump. The Marathon was the most important event and was won by a Greek named Spiridon Louis. Olympia is a small village situated near the West coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula of Greece. It is noted for its archaeological ruins which are related to the temples for worship of Greek Gods and the ancient Olympic stadium. The visitor is impressed by the Grandiose ruins, which show temple foundations, ruins of the temple of Zeus, the tall columns, the altars and art objects that dot the site. Some of these objects are placed in the Archaeological Museum. Another museum displays objects like stamps, photographs, documents, flags, maps and trophies belonging to the modern Olympics. The games sought to bring various warring groups together in an atmosphere of friendly rivalry and competition. So a sacred truce would be called for the duration of the games that had assumed Pan-Hellenic importance. Some of the events included in the games were foot-racing, wrestling, chariot racing and horseracing. The names of the victors along with the names of events would be recorded for posterity. For the victors, it was the laurel wreath which was important as it signified their superior performance. The Olympic Movement consists of International Sports Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organising committees for each specific Olympic Games. As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each game, and organises and funds the Games according to the Olympic Charter. The IOC also determines the Olympic programme, consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games. There are several Olympic rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. Over 13,000 athletes compete at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events. The first, second, and third-place finishers in each event receive Olympic medals: gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. At the modem Olympics, the sacred flame is lit at Olympia using sun power by Greek maidens dressed in white. The event is presided over by a Greek priestess. The flame is then carried in a torch that travels across nations. The importance of the Olympic movement has been recognized over centuries as it brings people together in a spirit of friendly competition. The Games have grown so much that nearly every nation is now represented. This growth has created numerous challenges and controversies, including boycotts, doping, bribery, and a terrorist attack in 1972. Every two years the Olympics and its media exposure provide unknown athletes with the chance to attain national and sometimes international fame. The Games also constitute an opportunity for the host city and country to showcase themselves to the world. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it. Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.