In 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. The events included foot races, bicycle races, and a discuss throw. Perhaps the most important event was the marathon race meant to commemorate the distance of about 26 miles that, in 490 B.C., a Greek soldier ran in order to tell his fellow Greeks of a victory over the Persians. Baron Pierre de Coubertin organized the modern games. He believed that the games were a way for nations to compete athletically rather than in warfare. Only about 300 athletes from fewer than 15 countries participated. His idea for the modern games came from the ancient games held in Greece.

Originally, the Olympics included common citizens from city-states competing for the prize of a crown made of olive branches. The winners were honored for their athletic prowess, and some even lived for the rest of their lives at public expense. The Olympic Games were held every four years in the temple of Zeus at Olympia. The games began around 776 B.C. Messengers were sent to each city-state to invite men to participate in honor of the Greek god Zeus.

During the first day of the games, sacrifices might have been made. On the second day, footraces perhaps took place. The other days likely included events such as wrestling, boxing, and the pentathlon, a competition that had five events: running, javelin, long jumping, wrestling, and discus.

Today, competitors in the summer Olympics include thousands of athletes from over 150 different countries. The winter games draw millions of viewers and thousands of competitors. The Olympic Games continue to draw together people from different countries to compete athletically, much as Coubertin hoped they would.