A Brief History of the Olympics and Paralympics for Kids

Imagine yourself transported back in time to ancient Greece. It’s here, at the site of Olympia, that the ancient Olympic Games first came to life. The ancient Olympics were far more than just a sporting event; they were an important part of Greek culture. Founded in 776 BCE, these games were held every four years in honour of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods.

Athletes from across Greece came together to compete in different events. From running and wrestling, to chariot races and discus throwing, the ancient Olympics featured a long list of competitions that tested the limits of human skill and endurance.

But the ancient Olympics were about more than just the athletes showing off their skills. The games also brought people together, and helped them set aside their differences.

One of the most iconic parts of the ancient Olympics was the winner’s prize: a simple olive wreath. This wreath meant victory, honour, and glory. For the winners, this wreath wasn’t just a display of their amazing achievement, it was also a symbol of their dedication to their sport and the ideals of the Olympic Games

As the sun set on the ancient world, the ancient Olympic Games would fade into memory, but what the Greeks started would continue for thousands of years to come. To this day, the ancient Olympics continue to inspire athletes and fans, reminding us of the timeless values that lie at the heart of the Olympics.

In the 1800s, a man called Pierre de Coubertin wanted a grand spectacle to bring the world together. Inspired by the values of the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, Pierre got to work to bring back the Olympic Games, which resulted in the first modern Olympics taking place in Athens in 1896.

With Athens hosting this historic event once again, athletes from 14 nations gathered to compete in a series of sports that were similar to the ancient competitions of old. From track and field to cycling, swimming, and gymnastics, the modern Olympics introduced different sports that captured the imagination of the world.

The first modern Olympics in Athens may be smaller than the games we’re all used to today, but it started a new era for the Olympics. Each year the modern Olympics would grow to include more sports, athletes, and nations. From continuing the tradition of the Olympic torch, to the introduction of the iconic Olympic rings, the modern Olympics continued to evolve to reflect the changing times and the enduring values of the Olympic movement.

Since Pierre kickstarted the games again in the late 19th century, the Olympic Games have grown to become the world’s best sporting event, captivating audiences and athletes from around the world.

One of the most important parts of the Olympics’ growth is the number of new sports included each year. The Olympics we all know and love today have a long list of different sports, from traditional events like track and field and swimming, to newer sports like skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing.

As well as expanding the sports, the Olympics have also welcomed more athletes and nations to take part in the games. This means today’s games are much more inclusive and diverse, so we can all look forward to both men and women competing, as well as people from all sorts of different backgrounds. The Olympics truly is a place for any type of athlete to showcase their talents on the world stage.

Sports for athletes with an impairment have existed for more than 100 years, and the first sports clubs for the deaf were already in existence in Berlin as far back as 1888.

It wasn’t until after World War II however, that accessible sports clubs were widely introduced. The purpose was to assist the large number of war veterans and civilians who had been injured during wartime.

In 1944, at the request of the British Government, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann opened a spinal injuries centre at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain, and in time, rehabilitation sport evolved to recreational sport and then to competitive sport.

On 29 July 1948, the day of the Opening Ceremony for the 1948 London Olympic Games, Dr. Guttmann held the first competition for wheelchair athletes, and named it the Stoke Mandeville Games. The games consisted of 16 injured servicepeople who took part in archery. Then, in 1952, Dutch ex-servicepeople joined, and helped in founding the International Stoke Mandeville Games.

These evolved to become the Paralympic Games, which first took place in 1960 in Rome, Italy. The games featured 400 athletes from 23 countries, and have taken place every four years since.

The Winter Olympic Games are a much newer addition to the Olympic story than the Summer Games. While winter sports had appeared in earlier Olympic events, the first official Winter Olympics took place in 1924 in Chamonix, France. Athletes competed in sports like figure skating, ice hockey and skiing, and the event quickly became popular in its own right. Since then, the Winter Olympics have taken place every four years, bringing together the world’s best athletes to compete on snow and ice.

Over time, the Winter Games have continued to grow, with new sports being added as they developed and gained international attention. Events like the biathlon, bobsleigh and snowboarding have helped make the Winter Olympics more exciting and varied, giving fans even more ways to watch athletes push their limits. Just like the Summer Games, the Winter Olympics celebrate skill, determination and the drive to be the best.

The Paralympic Winter Games began later, but they share the same spirit of competition and achievement. The first Paralympic Winter Games were held in 1976 in Sweden, giving athletes with disabilities the chance to compete at the highest level in winter sports. These games also take place every four years, with events including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, para ice hockey and wheelchair curling. For many athletes, the Winter Paralympics are not just about winning medals, but about showing what’s possible through resilience, talent and hard work.

Today, the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games continue to inspire audiences around the world. Whether it’s the speed of a downhill skier, the precision of a curler, or the teamwork of a para ice hockey squad, the Winter Games are packed with unforgettable moments. And just like the Summer Games, they remind us that sport can bring people together, encourage confidence, and inspire kids to chase their own goals — whatever they may be.

So that wraps up our brief history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Whether your kids dream of being on the podium one day or simply enjoy watching their favourite athletes compete, there is plenty we can all learn from the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Let your kids be inspired by the athletes going for gold and encourage them to be their best selves, on and off the field.

Now that you’ve read through the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, check out our 4 fun goal-setting activities article to help your kids get going with their goals, or read our Olympics and Paralympic games for kids article for some exciting ideas to host your own Olympic and Paralympic themed party at home. Check out our Team GB and Paralympics GB Hub for more information.

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