The history of the Olympics

Explore the history of the Olympic Games

Explore the modern Olympic Games

American athlete Alvin Kraenzlein pioneered the now-universal modern technique for hurdling – and claimed four golds. (Photo by Getty Images)

The madcap Paris Olympics: the chaos that nearly derailed the 1900 Games. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A runner is helped across a finish line

21 key moments in the history of the modern Olympics

Joep de Beer of Holland throws a javelin at the Stoke Mandeville Games

Q&AWhen and where were the first Paralympics held?

The first modern Olympics at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens

The first modern Olympics: what happened at the 1896 games?

Read more about the Olympics

Discover the ancient Olympics of antiquity

A depiction of athletes in the torch race, ancient Olympics

What were the ancient Olympics like? Take a visit to the Games of 436 BC

Wrestlers in ancient Greece

Q&AHow did ancient athletes prepare for the Olympics?

(Photo by naphtalina/Getty Images)

Q&AWhy do we say ‘resting on your laurels’?

Olympic athletes past and present

Crown Prince Olav on his ice yacht (Getty Images)

From Hollywood to war heroes: 10 Olympians who were more famous outside sport

A man runs on an athletics track with a crowd behind him

Harry Edward: Britain’s first black Olympic hero

Medal winners on a podium

Q&AWho won the first Olympic medal? And what was the prize before that?