Summer Olympic Games

international sports · competition · tradition

Medals for champions. Athletes who win first place get a gold medal, second place gets silver, and third place gets bronze. This medal tradition started in 1904.

Born in Athens. The very first Summer Olympic Games happened in 1896 in Athens, Greece. It was the first major international multi-sport event ever created.

Happens every four years. Countries around the world take turns hosting the Summer Olympics, with the Games happening once every four years. The most recent Olympics were in Paris in 2024.

Started by one person. A man named Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to organize the Games. His idea turned into the world's largest and most prestigious sports competition.

Inspired the Winter Games. The Summer Olympics were so successful that they led to the creation of the Winter Olympic Games, which feature sports played on snow and ice.