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The founding father of the great Olympics is said to be Heracles (The Hercules), one of the sons of Zeus. Zeus was considered as the most important Olympic God apart from Athena and Apollo; and, was worshipped as the God of meteorological change. The Olympic Games were closely related to Religion and religious festivals of the cult of Zeus promoting a secular spirit, energy and accomplishment of the Youth and good relations between the cities of Greece.
The history of the Olympic Games goes back to 776 BC when a nude runner (Coroebus) won the 192 meters race in Olympics making him the first Olympic champion. A few events, a few champions and a single venue - Olympia in Greece - characterized these ancient Olympic Games.
The ancient Olympics were a one-day event till 684 BC with boxing, pankration running, long jump, shot put, javelin and equestrian events as the major competitions. All the Greeks (males) were allowed to participate, prohibiting the female participation. For about 1200 years, the ancient Olympic Games recurred in every four years, till the Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned them in 393 CE.
Baron Pierre de Coubertin re-started Olympics in 1894 by forming the International Olympic Committee, following which, the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece. "Faster, Higher, Stronger" (Citius-Altius-Fortius) is the principal Olympic motto which emphasizes on the spirit of achieving the zenith in life rather than acquiring first position. The five Olympic rings and the Flag are the inevitable parts of Olympic emblem conceptualized in 1912 Olympic Games.
The five Olympic rings, each with a different hue, and; the Olympic flag, represent the universal nature of the Olympic Games, bringing the whole world together. The Olympic Anthem is also played at every Olympics since 1960 Olympic Games. The Olympic flame lit in front of the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece; depicts the immortal connection between ancient and modern Olympics. This torch of light is carried by the runners of the participating countries and finally a cauldron is lit which remains flaming till it is extinguished in the closing ceremony. Then the doves are released symbolizing peace and harmony. The Olympic Games start after the Olympic Oath taken by one athlete and one judge from each of the participating nations, representing the entire country.
So Far, the Olympic Games have been held in many countries starting from 1896 in Athens, Paris, St.Louis, London, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Berlin, Helsinki, Melbourne, Rome, Tokyo, Mexico, Munich, Montreal, Moscow, Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney to again Athens in 2004.
Official site of the International Olympics Committee
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games
United States Olympic Committee
History Of Olympics: Ancient Olympic Games
Olympic Medal Tally 2004
   | United States | 35 | 39 | 29 | | China | 32 | 17 | 14 | | Russia | 27 | 27 | 38 | | Australia | 17 | 16 | 16 | | Japan | 16 | 9 | 12 | | Germany | 14 | 16 | 18 | | France | 11 | 9 | 13 | | Italy | 10 | 11 | 11 | | South Korea | 9 | 12 | 9 | | Great Britain | 9 | 9 | 12 | | Cuba | 9 | 7 | 11 | | Ukraine | 9 | 5 | 9 | | Hungary | 8 | 6 | 3 | | Romania | 8 | 5 | 6 | | Greece | 6 | 6 | 4 | | Norway | 5 | 0 | 1 | | Netherlands | 4 | 9 | 9 | | Brazil | 4 | 3 | 3 | | Sweden | 4 | 1 | 2 | | Spain | 3 | 11 | 5 | | Canada | 3 | 6 | 3 | | Turkey | 3 | 3 | 4 | | Poland | 3 | 2 | 5 | | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 0 | | Thailand | 3 | 1 | 4 | | Belarus | 2 | 6 | 7 | | Austria | 2 | 4 | 1 | | Ethiopia | 2 | 3 | 2 | | Iran | 2 | 2 | 2 | | Slovakia | 2 | 2 | 2 | | Taiwan | 2 | 2 | 1 | | Georgia | 2 | 2 | 0 | | Bulgaria | 2 | 1 | 9 | | Jamaica | 2 | 1 | 2 | | Uzbekistan | 2 | 1 | 2 | | Morocco | 2 | 1 | 0 | | Denmark | 2 | 0 | 6 | | Argentina | 2 | 0 | 4 | | Chile | 2 | 0 | 1 | | Kazakhstan | 1 | 4 | 3 | | Kenya | 1 | 4 | 2 | | Czech Republic | 1 | 3 | 4 | | South Africa | 1 | 3 | 2 | | Croatia | 1 | 2 | 2 | | Lithuania | 1 | 2 | 0 | | Egypt | 1 | 1 | 3 | | Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 3 | | Indonesia | 1 | 1 | 2 | | Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Azerbaijan | 1 | 0 | 4 | | Belgium | 1 | 0 | 2 | | Bahamas | 1 | 0 | 1 | | Israel | 1 | 0 | 1 | | Cameroon | 1 | 0 | 0 | | Dominican Republic | 1 | 0 | 0 | | Ireland | 1 | 0 | 0 | | United Arab Emirates | 1 | 0 | 0 | | North Korea | 0 | 4 | 1 | | Latvia | 0 | 4 | 0 | | Mexico | 0 | 3 | 1 | | Portugal | 0 | 2 | 1 | | Finland | 0 | 2 | 0 | | Serbia-Montenegro | 0 | 2 | 0 | | Slovenia | 0 | 1 | 3 | | Estonia | 0 | 1 | 2 | | Hong Kong | 0 | 1 | 0 | | India | 0 | 1 | 0 | | Paraguay | 0 | 1 | 0 | | Nigeria | 0 | 0 | 2 | | Venezuela | 0 | 0 | 2 | | Colombia | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Eritrea | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Mongolia | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Syria | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Trinidad and Tobago | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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