History of the Olympic Games 

The ancient Olympic Games were the great Greek religious, athletic, and cultural festivals that inspired the creation of the modern Olympic Games. The earliest documentation of the ancient Games traces the efforts of King Iphitos of Elis, around 824 BC, to establish a "sacred truce" through the conduct of Games "dear to the gods." From 776 B.C., these Games took place every four years.
The ancient Games were sacred events. Athletes from all Greek city-states joined the festivals at Olympia - marked by solemn Opening and Closing ceremonies. The "sacred truce" from the first known Games makes interesting reading: "May the world be delivered from crime and killing and freed from the clash of arms." The intent was for warring city-states to lay down their arms for the period of the Games, so athletes could compete in peace.

The program of competitive events in the ancient Games evolved over time. Among the sports contested were the foot race, wrestling, boxing, the pentathlon, and chariot races. The first recorded winner was the runner Koroibos. Only men were permitted to take part in the Olympic Games - women were forbidden to compete or be spectators at the ancient Olympic Games under penalty of death. The only female allowed in Olympia was the high priestess of the goddess Demeter. Women in ancient Greece, did, however, participate in festivals of their own and exclusively female Games, held in honour of the goddess Hera, were held at regular intervals. The ancient Olympic Games are known to have existed for 12 centuries. The symbolic power of the Games lived on after their demise in 394 AD, and came to life again as the modern Olympic Games.

Pierre de Fredy, the Baron de Coubertin, was the founder of the modern Olympic Movement. Born in 1863 to a French aristocrat family, Coubertin was an avid sportsman, believing sport possessed the power to benefit humankind and encourage peace among the nations of the world.

After visits to England and the United States, Coubertin formulated a plan to revive the Games. His vision was realised, in June 1894, when a meeting of delegates in Paris voted to hold the modern Olympic Games at Athens in 1896.

Coubertin became President of the International Olympic Committee in 1896 and held that post for 29 years. Over that time, Coubertin committed his life and his fortune to the establishment and growth of the modern Olympic Games. He died in Geneva, Switzerland in 1937.

Though Coubertin never approved of women competing in the Olympic Games, he fought ferociously for the ideals of Olympism. His vision and determination created a movement that has, like no other, united the athletes and nations of the world in peaceful celebration and competition.