The Olympic Games, once the most important event in ancient Greece and then banned as pagan games, revived at the end of the 19th century. The initiator of their revival was the French public figure Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
A staunch fan of a healthy lifestyle, de Coubertin campaigned in every possible way in favor of sports. In his opinion, this not only contributes to improving the health and physical capabilities of people, but also strengthens peace between peoples. "Better to compete on sports grounds than on the battlefield!" - that was one of the Baron's firm convictions.
Archaeological excavations on the territory of Olympia, as a result of which the very sports facilities were opened to the world and where ancient Greek athletes competed, aroused great interest in the Olympic Games among the broad masses of people. Therefore, de Coubertin's ideas quickly won more and more new supporters. The decision to hold the first Olympic Games of our time was made at a congress held in Paris in June 1893.
Congress delegates decided that the games will take place in 1896, and that the honor of holding them will be entrusted to Athens, the capital of Greece. This was supposed to carry a deep symbolic meaning, that is, the revived Olympic Games returned to where they once began. In order to consider and resolve all organizational issues, the IOC - the International Olympic Committee was created. Its first President was Demetrius Vikelas, a Greek by birth, an ardent supporter of the idea of the revival of games. Pierre de Coubertin was elected Secretary General of the IOC.
The first Olympic Games of our time were held in Athens from April 6 to 15, 1896. The ceremony of the games was opened by the Greek king George I. Athletes from 14 countries took part in them. Only men were allowed to compete in 9 sports (in full accordance with the rules of the ancient Olympics).
The success of the revived Olympics has surpassed all expectations. The press all over the world enthusiastically described the progress of wrestling. Interest in sports has grown many times over. Senior Greek officials have come up with a proposal that the Olympic Games should always be held only in their country. However, the IOC did not agree, deciding that each subsequent Olympics should be held in a new place, since the ideals of sport and peace are equally dear to all peoples.
