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
2008 Olympic Schedule
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games
United States Olympic Committee
History Of Olympics: Ancient Olympic Games
Latest news on Olympic Games
Times of India - Aug 31, 2010 This time we were made to fight four fights of three rounds each. Every boxer got an equal chance to show their skill," said Akhil. Times of India - Sep 2, 2010 ... Akhil Kumar, Commonwealth champions Dinesh Kumar and Jai Bhagwan and Asian bronze medallist Jitender Kumar - besides nine international boxers. ...
Hindustan Times - Aug 21, 2010 On a lazy Beijing afternoon in 2008, I slipped away with a friend to watch Akhil Kumar dance. I hadn't seen a boxer at work for a while. ...
Times of India - Aug 29, 2010 And Akhil or Jitender, whoever is picked as they are in same category, will also be a contender," he said. Dinesh Kumar said his next target would be to get ...
A monthlong preparatory camp in Pune saw him box with the likes of Vijender Kumar and Akhil Kumar, who were preparing for the Commonwealth Games. ...
Hindustan Times - Aug 19, 2010 Boxer Akhil Kumar, a medal hope in the Games, is frustrated with the apathetic attitude of the management towards its players and warns it can affect their ...
... boxer last year with six gold medals in international tournaments along with Beijing bronze medalist Vijender and Beijing quarter-finalist Akhil Kumar. ...
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Olympic Medal Tally
  
| 2008 | | | T | 2004 |
| United States | 36 | 38 | 36 |
110 |
35 |
39 | 29 |
| China | 51 | 21 | 28 |
100 |
32 | 17 | 14 |
| Russia | 23 | 21 | 28 |
72 |
27 | 27 | 38 |
| Australia | 14 | 15 | 17 |
46 |
17 | 16 | 16 |
| Japan | 9 | 6 | 10 |
25 |
16 | 9 | 12 |
| Germany | 16 | 10 | 15 |
41 |
14 | 16 | 18 |
| France | 7 | 16 | 17 |
40 |
11 | 9 | 13 |
| Italy | 8 | 10 | 10 |
28 |
10 | 11 | 11 |
| South Korea | 13 | 10 | 8 |
31 |
9 | 12 | 9 |
| Great Britain | 19 | 13 | 15 |
47 |
9 | 9 | 12 |
| Cuba | 2 | 11 | 11 |
24 |
9 | 7 | 11 |
| Ukraine | 7 | 5 | 15 |
27 |
9 | 5 | 9 |
| Hungary | 3 | 5 | 2 |
10 |
8 | 6 | 3 |
| Romania | 4 | 1 | 3 |
8 |
8 | 5 | 6 |
| Greece | - | 2 | 2 | | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Norway | 3 | 5 | 2 |
10 |
5 | 0 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 7 | 5 | 4 |
16 |
4 | 9 | 9 |
| Brazil | 3 | 4 | 8 |
15 |
4 | 3 | 3 |
| Sweden | - | 4 | 1 |
5 |
4 | 1 | 2 |
| Spain | 5 | 10 | 3 |
18 |
3 | 11 | 5 |
| Canada | 3 | 9 | 6 |
18 |
3 | 6 | 3 |
| Turkey | 1 | 4 | 3 |
8 |
3 | 3 | 4 |
| Poland | 3 | 6 | 1 |
10 |
3 | 2 | 5 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 1 | 5 |
9 |
3 | 2 | 0 |
| Thailand | 2 | 2 | - |
4 |
3 | 1 | 4 |
| Belarus | 4 | 5 | 10 |
19 |
2 | 6 | 7 |
| Austria | - | 1 | 2 |
3 |
2 | 4 | 1 |
| Ethiopia | 4 | 1 | 2 |
7 |
2 | 3 | 2 |
| Iran | 1 | - | 1 |
2 |
2 | 2 | 2 |
| Slovakia | 3 | 2 | 1 |
6 |
2 | 2 | 2 |
| Taiwan | - | - | - |
- |
2 | 2 | 1 |
| Georgia | 3 | - | 3 |
6 |
2 | 2 | 0 |
| Bulgaria | 1 | 1 | 3 |
5 |
2 | 1 | 9 |
| Jamaica | 6 | 3 | 2 |
11 |
2 | 1 | 2 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 2 | 3 |
6 |
2 | 1 | 2 |
| Morocco | - | 1 | 1 |
2 |
2 | 1 | 0 |
| Denmark | 2 | 2 | 3 |
7 |
2 | 0 | 6 |
| Argentina | 2 | - | 4 |
6 |
2 | 0 | 4 |
| Chile | - | 1 | - |
1 |
2 | 0 | 1 |
| Kazakhstan | 2 | 4 | 7 |
13 |
1 | 4 | 3 |
| Kenya | 5 | 5 | 4 |
14 |
1 | 4 | 2 | | Czech Republic | 3 | 3 | - |
6 |
1 | 3 | 4 |
| South Africa | - | 1 | - |
1 |
1 | 3 | 2 |
| Croatia | - | 2 | 3 |
5 |
1 | 2 | 2 |
| Lithuania | - | 2 | 3 |
5 |
1 | 2 | 0 |
| Egypt | - | - | 1 |
1 |
1 | 1 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 2 | - | 4 |
6 |
1 | 1 | 3 |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 | 3 |
5 |
1 | 1 | 2 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 3 | - |
4 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Azerbaijan | 1 | 2 | 4 |
7 |
1 | 0 | 4 |
| Belgium | 1 | 1 | - |
2 |
1 | 0 | 2 |
| Bahamas | - | 1 | 1 |
2 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Israel | - | - | 1 |
1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Cameroon | 1 | - | - |
1 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dominican Republic | 1 | 1 | - |
2 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ireland | - | 1 | 2 |
3 |
1 | 0 | 0 | | United Arab Emirates | - | - | - |
- |
1 | 0 | 0 |
| North Korea | 2 | 1 | 3 |
6 |
0 | 4 | 1 |
| Latvia | 1 | 1 | 1 |
3 |
0 | 4 | 0 |
| Mexico | 2 | - | 1 |
3 |
0 | 3 | 1 |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | - |
2 |
0 | 2 | 1 |
| Finland | 1 | 1 | 2 |
4 |
0 | 2 | 0 |
| Serbia-Montenegro | - | 1 | 2 |
3 |
0 | 2 | 0 |
| Slovenia | 1 | 2 | 2 |
5 |
0 | 1 | 3 |
| Estonia | 1 | 1 | - |
2 |
0 | 1 | 2 |
| Hong Kong | - | - | - |
- |
0 | 1 | 0 |
| India | 1 | - | 1 |
2 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
| Paraguay | - | - | - |
- |
0 | 1 | 0 |
| Nigeria | - | 1 | 3 |
4 |
0 | 0 | 2 |
| Venezuela | - | - | 1 |
1 |
0 | 0 | 2 |
| Colombia | - | 1 | 1 |
2 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
| Eritrea | - | - | - |
- |
0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mongolia | 2 | 2 | - |
4 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
| Syria | - | - | - |
- |
0 | 0 | 1 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | - | 2 | - | | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vietnam | - | 1 | - |
1 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
| Algeria | - | 1 | 1 |
2 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
| Armenia | - | - | 6 |
6 |
- | - | - |
| Chinese Taipei | - | - | 4 |
4 |
- | - | - |
| Kyrgyzstan | - | 1 | 1 |
- |
- | - | - |
| Tajikistan | - | 1 | 1 |
2 |
- | - | - |
| Togo | - | - | 1 |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Tunisia | 1 | - | 1 |
2 |
- | - | - |
| Ecuador | - | 1 | - |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Malaysia | - | 1 | - |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Singapore | - | 1 | - |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Bahrain | 1 | - | - |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Panama | 1 | - | - |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Iceland | - | 1 | - |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Sudan | - | 1 | - |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Afghanistan | - | - | 1 |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Rep. of Moldovan | - | - | 1 |
1 |
- | - | - |
| Mauritius | - | - | 1 |
1 |
- | - | - |
|
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