The Olympic Games are very famous throughout the world because of its serenity ano peacefulness. The history of Olympic flashes back to more than 1500 years. malls, centuries ago Olympic games were held in Greece in honour of the Greek God Zeus. The sacred month of the games as considered is the time for harmony and fri endship.
The festival lasted for five days and became an expression of the Greek idea t hat "a maws body should be just as fit and healthy as his mind .... " The winners r, cceived many prizes of which the most treasured was a wreath of Olive leaves. Those days it was a great honour to win this prize. Only Greeks were permitted to take part in those games. Women were not allowed even to enter the arena as they were regarded inferior to men. The games were held in every four years and there were some significant features too..
The Greeks came to measure time by the four year intervals between them, called an Olympiad. Thus Olympic games lasted for many centuries but after the Romans conquered Greece, the Olympics lost its sacred qualities and were abolished fbr nearly 1500 years. Fortunately, it was revived by a great Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin. who strongly believed that the glory of ancient Greece was partly due to its athletic festivals. He is the one who emphasized that unity could be achieved through an international sports festival where athletes of all nations could be brought together. His idea was accepted and the first modem Olympics was held in Greece in 1896.
There are a lot of sporting events in the modem Olympic games and both men and women can take part in them. In the Olympics game of today the winners receive medals. The winner gets a gold medal and the second and the third get silver and bronze medals respectively. The Olympic games are a multi -sport competition held in every four years. Susanthika Jayasinghe is the first Sri Lankan woman athlete to win a medal at the Olympics. She won the bronze medal for the women's 200 metres race at the Olympic games held in Sydney. Australia in 2000.
She is from Athnawala a small rural village in Sri Lanka, who was educated in the same village school. She had won a great reputation to little mother Lanka as one of her efficient daughters. Today the Olympic is one of the greatest events that brings the world together. The games are held in different cities every four years and totally aims to promote peace of the world. The Olympic flag has five entwined rings on a white background. They represent the five main continents. The international Olympic committee.
(IOC) is responsible for the continuation and development of the Olympic games. It's not easy to win a medal. Behind every minute medal lies a lifetime of discipline, dedication, hard work and talent. The Olympic games also carry an important message to the world. "Not to win but to take Hart"
