Amazing Olympians
Posted on 22. Apr, 2012 by charles in Athletes, Cities, London, Self Development, Sport
Amazing Olympians
The largest sports show on Earth is close upon us. It is held every four years, But, how did it all start? As part of my interest in amazing people, I decided to travel through time to the days of the ancient Greece. I discovered that in 776BC – almost 3000 years ago – the Olympic games commenced. Held at Olympia, they were partly a sports event and partly a religious event to respect the Greek Gods who were reported to have lived on Mount Olympus. The Olympics were especially linked to Zeus, the Greek god of the sky and thunder.
Olympic Fever is in the air once again. so, I have conducted virtual interviews with amazing people who have contributed to the Olympics. Evangelos Zappos was a key player in re- starting the Olympic Games. They had been banned by the Roman invaders in 394 AD. It took 1465 years before the modern Olympics were introduced again to Greece. Pierre de Coubertin then developed the international version in 1896. So, this year in London, we will see the tradition continued – but now as a major business event as well as a sporting competition.
Amazing Olympians provides the insight into how people have won their medals. For example, who won the first modern marathon? Who was the first woman to win a medal, but who did not receive a gold medal? Why was that?
The answers are available in the Amazing Olympians book version that is part of the series on amazing people.
Regards, Charles
