Baron Pierre de Coubertin is considered the founder of the modern Olympics. He campaigned for and helped revive the Olympic Games in the late 19th century. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece in 1896 with 14 countries and over 200 male athletes competing. Since then the Olympics have grown significantly and are now held every two years in both the summer and winter featuring thousands of athletes from around the world.

1. The Modern Olympics
By Gus Reece

2. Baron Pierre de Coubertin
- He was born on 1st January 1863, paris France.
- He died on 2nd September 1937, aged 74.
- After four centuries of the olympics being cancelled, he made sure
that they came back in 1896 in Athens, Greece. Where 245 men from
14 countries competed in 43 events.
- He founded the International Olympic Commitee and was the
‘father‘ of the modern Olympics.
- He started his campaign in 1892.
- He thought everyone taking part should be an amateur
- De Coubertin thought that the Olympics was for men and for

3. Host Cities
- There have been 29 Summer Olympics held in 22 different
countries.
- London has hosted the games 4 times.
- London has hosted the games in 1908, 1944, 1948 and coming up in
2012.
- There have been 21 Winter Olympics held in 18 different countries.

4. Ceremonies
- At every Olympics, there is an opening and a closing ceremony.
- The olympic torch relay is also a ceremony.
- The first three place-getters will be awarded with a medal, and a
warm hand shake, flowers, a wreath and the winner will have the
honour of being world champion!
- The third place-getter will receive a bronze, second will receive a
silver and first will receive a gold medal.
- At ceremonies, they do amazing feats. Once, over a thousand
doves were released into the stadium, creating an awesome
atmosphere.

5. Torch Relay & Flame
- The olympic torch relay, starts several weeks before the actual
games. Special people known for their efforts, would take turns at
carrying the torch. They would start several hundred kilometres
away from where they are held; then finish at the stadium to light
the olympic flame and to start the opening ceremony.
- For instance, Muhummad Ali (perhaps one of the best boxers of all
time) lit the olympic flame at the 1996 summer games at Atlanta,
America.
- The olympic flame has been going for about one hundred years,
because during the 1896 games, a fire was randomly left burning
throughout the games.

6. Olympic Flag
- The olympic flag (with the 5 rings) represents the five inhabited
continents.
- It was introduced in 1914 and was first flown at the Antwerp
games.
- The colours of the flag are: red, black, blue, green, and yellow.
- The rings were designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin