Pierre de Coubertin had the idea to bring back the modern Olympics in the late 1800s. He believed physical education should be an important part of life. He designed the Olympic flag featuring five rings to represent the five inhabited continents. Since 1896, 29 summer Olympics have been held in 22 cities, with London hosting three times and the United States hosting four times. The Olympic flame symbolizes fire being stolen from Zeus and is carried around host cities during the torch relay.

1. The Modern
Olympics
By Ruby and Seth

2. The Baron Pierre de
Coubertin
• Pierre was born in Paris (France) on the 1st of January 1863
into an established aristocratic family. He died from a stroke at
the age of 74 on the 2nd of September 1937 in Geneva,
Switzerland. He was buried in Olympia.
• Coubertin had the idea of beginning the modern Olympics. In
his late 20’s he wanted fitness and athleticism to be part of
everyday life. He believed physical education should be an
important part of life. Soon he combined his feelings and
effort together to bring the the long-dead Olympics into the
modern generation.

3. The Olympic Flag
• The Olympic Flag represents the five continents that
participate at the Olympics. The continents include
America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania.
• The Olympic Flag was originally designed by Pierre
de Coubertin in 1914. Pierre de Coubertin is said to
have discovered the five rings symbols engraved on
an Altar-stone unearthed at Delphi.
• The Olympic Flag measures 2.06m long, 60cm high
and is completely white with five rings connected
together in the centre. The Olympic flag is a symbol
of tranquility, goodwill, global solidarity and
tolerance.

4. Host Cities
• Since 1896 there has been 29 summer Olympic
Games held in 22 different cities. The Summer
Olympics are held every four years. London have
hosted three Summer Olympic Games. The United
States have hosted four more Summer Olympic
Games, more than any other Nation. When the 2012
Summer Olympics have finished the UK would have
hosted three Summer Olympic Games.

5. Torch Relay and
Flame
• The Olympic Flame is a symbol of the Olympic
Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the
king of the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its
origins lie in ancient Greece