The first modern olympics was held in 1896, but the origins of the olympics extend centuries in the past, back to ancient Greece. The olympics, back in the pre-modern day, was held during a festival to honor the Greek God Zeus, pictured below.

The first olympic games only included foot races, but over time other sports got added. As for the summer olympics, swimming has been a part of it since 1896, the first modern games, and basketball was added eight years later in 1904.

Fittingly, the first modern olympic games in 1896 were held in Athens, Greece, the original site of the game that the world now follows every two years. The Olympics are split into two different games; the winter olympics and the summer olympics. They used to happen in the same year, every four years, but in 1986, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided that the summer and winter olympics should rotate every two years. So, typically, the winter olympics are held in midterm election years for the United States, while the summer olympics are held in presidential election years.

Above, you will see a map of Athens, Greece, the sight of the first ever olympics, and the first modern olympics in 1896.