around 3000 years ago.

Noone's quite sure who actually started the Games or why

so let's just say it was this guy.

You know what?

We should do this thing where a bunch of people come

and run and wrestle and do javelin

and then, like, everyone comes and sits and watches

and then the winner, they, like, get a crown or something.

Hmm, that sounds mildly entertaining.

Let's do it.

Anyway, they decided the first known Olympic Game should be held

in an area named Olympia in 776 BC in a rectangular stadium

and the Games were dedicated to the Greek God, Zeus

The only people who could take part were men of Greek origin.

They were picked by their cities and trained for months to complete.

At first, there was only one sport, a 200 metre sprint.

Then they added longer running events, boxing, equestrian,

pankration - that's an extreme mix of boxing and wrestling -

and pentathlon, made up of five sports

including javelin, discus and long jump.

Oh, and every athlete competed in the nude.

ALL: What?!

But for the purposes of this story, we won't worry too much about that.

Phew!

Finally, all athletes and judges took an oath to take part honourably

and abide by the rules.

Wait, does that mean I can't cheat?

No, of course not.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

At the end of an event, there was only ever one award winner

known as the Olympionic.

They were crowned with sacred olive branches

and they were seen as a hero in their home town.

Statues were often made in their likeness

and poems written about their athletic feats.

"He ran with the fierceness of a goat,

"dainty in hoof of feet."

I approve, I approve.

The Olympics were held like that every four years.

And at first, it was only a one-day thing

but eventually it became even longer

as the event became more and more popular.

The Games drew tens of thousands of spectators

and even when some Greek cities were at war,

they were brought together by a sacred truce

which meant that nobody could fight during the Games

so everybody could watch.

After more than 1000 years of Games,

this guy, Emperor Theodosius I decided he didn't like it very much

and scrapped it and that was the end of the ancient Olympics.

It wasn't until centuries later, in 1894 that this guy,

a French teacher and historian named Pierre de Coubertin,

founded the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC then organised the very first modern Olympic Games

in Athens, Greece, in 1896.