A History of the Olympic Games

Author: Mariam Ma
There are many stories on how the Olympic Games started in ancient Greece. One story unfolds that it was Heracles who first established the Games after concluding his twelve labors to honor his father, the deity Zeus. Another legend tells that it was the guardians of an infant Zeus who founded the Games by competing in the first footrace. Or perhaps it was Zeus himself who created the Olympic Games after he defeated his father Cronus to become the King of Gods. Whatever the story of how the Olympic Games originated, one constant is clear: the ancient Olympic Games were held as a tribute to Zeus.

Unlike the modern Olympics, the host city of the ancient Olympic Games did not change. It was always held in Olympia, Greece. Olympia is also known for ...