Modern Olympic Games

It was in the late 19th century, specifically in 1894, when Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the objective of reviving the old Olympic Games. Two years later, in 1896, the first modern Summer Olympic Games were held in Athens. We now celebrate the Olympic Games every two years in different cities, alternating Summer and Winter Games, in which up to 30 sports are practised, including diving, taekwondo and cricket among others.

The symbol of the Olympic Games is made up of five interconnected rings coloured in blue, yellow, black, green and red. It was designed by Pierre the Coubertin and each ring represents one of the five continents: Australia, Africa, Asia, America and Europe. Besides, since 1924 the Olympic motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius" which in English means "Faster, Higher, Stronger". This motto was proposed again by Pierre de Coubertin.

The games have gained such recognition over the years that the IOC has had to adapt them to the new social and economic circumstances of today's world. Thence, new events such as the Paralympic Games (for athletes with physical disabilities) and the Youth Olympic Games (for teenage athletes) have been created.