Olympics Facts
Olympic, International sport event is conventional for winter and summer sports. The first Olympics were held at Olympia, Greece in 776 BC. IN 1894 the International Olympic Committee was formed and in 1896, the modern Olympics began. Rituals and symbols such as Olympic flag, Torch, and a specific symbol are taken into consideration. Opening and closing ceremonies are celebrated with a great pomp. When it was started in 1896, 14 nations represented 241 participants. But in recent summer Olympics in 2008, 10500 participated from 204 countries. Compared to Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics participation is smaller. In 2006, 2508 athletes participated from 80 countries.