Olympic Games symbol is seen in Krakow, Poland on October 5, 2019. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Cover Olympic Games symbol is seen in Krakow, Poland on October 5, 2019. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The centuries-long Olympic Games is among the most-watched sports event in the world, but do you know its origins? What about the story behind its logo?

The Olympic Games has already been around in ancient Greece 3,000 years ago. Its original events, which can be traced back to the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD, were held every four years in Olympia, western Peloponnese Peninsula to honour the god Zeus.

In the late 19th century, the games have been revived. The first-ever modern Olympics took place in 1896 in Athens; it was joined by 280 participants from 13 nations, competing in 43 sports. 

Since then, the Olympics has become the world's most-awaited and highly-acclaimed sports competition. Written in this article are facts about the games. 

Read also: Tokyo Olympics 2021: Meet Filipino Representatives Carlos Yulo, Hidilyn Diaz, And More

1. The Olympic Symbol Represents Unity

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Photo: Bryan Turner on Unsplash
Above Photo: Bryan Turner on Unsplash

The Olympic symbol shows five interlocking rings coloured in blue, yellow, black, green, and red. Popularly known as the "Olympic rings," the logo was originally made in 1913 by French historian Pierre de Coubertin. The rings were intended to represent solidarity and unity among the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and Oceania.

2. Olympic Champions Didn't Receive Medals Until 1904

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Photo: Wikimedia
Above Photo: Wikimedia

Until 1904, the people competing in Olympic sports were not rewarded with gold, silver, and bronze medals. At the time, they were all after the olive wreath (also known as Kotinos), a branch of the wild olive tree called Kallistefanos Elea.

According to Greek traveller and geographer Pausanias, the olive wreath was introduced by Heracles as a prize for running race champions to honour his father Zeus. In ancient Olympic games, people would only award one winner per event.

Bonus: During the 2004 Summer Olympics, olive wreaths were once again given to winners because the games were being held in Greece.

3. Gold Medals Are Mostly Made Of Silver

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Photo:  Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
Above Photo: Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

Contrary to popular belief, the Olympic Gold Medal is not really composed of pure gold. Since the 1912 Olympics, the award-giving body releases "gold" medals made almost entirely of silver and only six grams of gold to meet the standard Olympic Charter

More from Tatler: Hidilyn Diaz: 5 Things You Should Know About The Filipina Olympic Champion

4. At Least One Of The Olympic Rings' Colors Appear In Every National Flag

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Photo:  Sam Balye on Unsplash
Above Photo: Sam Balye on Unsplash

Coubertin, the founder of modern Olympic Movement, conceived the colours of the five Olympic rings the most thoughtful way: the colours—blue, green, yellow, black, and red—were chosen because at least one of these are present in every national flag

Related: Olympics Games Tokyo 2020: OMEGA Returns As The Official Timekeeper

5. Women Joined The Olympics For The First Time In 1900

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Photo: Nicolas Hoizey on Unsplash
Above Photo: Nicolas Hoizey on Unsplash

Various women made Olympic histories in their respective countries, thanks to Chapter 1 Rule 2.8 of the Olympic Charter which encourages and supports "the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures with a view to implementing the principle of equality of men and women.”

Women competed in the French Olympics for the first time in 1900. Of a total of 997 athletes, 22 women competed in sports like sailing, tennis, golf, croquet, and equestrianism.

Read Also: Hidilyn's Gold Win: Why It Means More To Filipinos Than You'd Think

6. The 2012 London Games were the first Olympics in which all participating countries sent female athletes.

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Photo: Kayvan Mazhar on Unsplash
Above Photo: Kayvan Mazhar on Unsplash

Speaking of women, did you know that in 2012, all the national Olympic committees sent female athletes to the Games? Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar all had female athletes as a part of their delegations for the first time.
 

7. The Olympics Gave Medals For Art

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Photo: Tim Mossholder  on Unsplash
Above Photo: Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

The Olympics used to open contests for lovers of the art. From 1912 to 1948, the Games awarded painters, sculptors, architects, writers, and musicians. The jury awarded a total of 151 medals to original works in the fine arts inspired by athletic endeavours. 

See also: Nesthy Petecio Is Sure To Bring Home An Olympic Medal From Tokyo 2020

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