Olympic Games are the world's most important international athletic competition. The Olympics bring together thousands of the finest athletes to compete against one another in a variety of individual and team sports.
Ancient Olympic Games originated in Greece and were held from 776 B.C. to A.D. 393. The modern Olympic Games began in 1896 when organizers revived them to encourage world peace and friendship and to promote healthy sporting competition for the youth of the world. Winter Games were originated in 1924. Beginning in 1994, the Winter and Summer Games were divided and scheduled on four-year cycles, two years apart