What Are the Olympics?
What Are the Olympics?
Owlo! Owlo! Did you see the big screen in the town square this morning? Everyone was gathered around it!
Good morning, Koko! Yes, I did see it. The whole town seemed very excited. What did you think was happening?
There were athletes running and jumping and swimming, and the crowd was going wild. It looked like the biggest competition ever!
You have very sharp eyes, Koko. What you saw was the Olympic Games. They are one of the most special sporting events in the whole world.
The whole world? Like, every single country?
Almost every country, yes. Athletes from around two hundred nations come together to compete. It is truly something remarkable to witness.
Two hundred countries! That is more countries than I have fingers and toes put together.
Much more, indeed. I think we should head to the library and explore this a little deeper. I have a feeling there is a wonderful story behind the Olympics.
Yes, let's go! I want to know everything.
Here we are. Now, let me find the right book. Ah, here it is. The history of the Olympic Games goes back thousands of years.
Thousands of years? That is older than Grandpa Vos, and he is really old.
Much older, I am afraid. The very first Olympics were held in ancient Greece, over two thousand seven hundred years ago.
Ancient Greece? What does ancient mean?
Ancient means something from a very, very long time ago. Ancient Greece was a civilization that existed long before any of us were born.
And they had the Olympics back then too? What sports did they play?
They had running races, wrestling, and throwing events like the discus. It was a celebration of strength, speed, and skill.
That sounds amazing. But how did it become the giant thing I saw on the big screen today?
Great question. The ancient Olympics eventually stopped being held. Then, about one hundred and thirty years ago, a man named Pierre de Coubertin had a dream.
What was his dream?
He dreamed of bringing the Olympics back, but this time for the whole world. He believed sports could help people from different countries understand each other better.
So sports can be like a friendship bridge between countries?
That is a beautiful way to put it, Koko. The modern Olympics began in Athens, Greece, in eighteen ninety-six. They have been held every four years since then.
Every four years! So athletes have to wait a really long time to get their chance.
Exactly. That is why winning an Olympic medal is considered one of the greatest achievements in all of sport.
What kind of medal do you get if you win?
There are three medals. Gold for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third. Gold is the most celebrated of all.
I would want the gold one. It sounds the shiniest.
Most athletes would agree with you. Now, there is something else interesting. There are actually two kinds of Olympics held every four years.
Two kinds? I only knew about one!
There are the Summer Olympics, with sports like swimming, gymnastics, and track and field. Then there are the Winter Olympics, with sports like ice skating and skiing.
Oh, so snow and ice get their own Olympics! That is so cool. Literally.
They do. And here is one more thing that makes the Olympics truly special. Do you see this symbol in the book? Five rings linked together.
Yes! I have seen that symbol before. What do the rings mean?
The five rings represent the five parts of the world that come together for the Games. Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
So the rings are like a hug between all the continents.
I love that description. The Olympics are about more than just winning. They are about respect, effort, and celebrating what humans can achieve together.
I think I want to be an Olympic athlete one day. Maybe in running, because I am very fast.
You are indeed fast, Koko. Now, before we leave the library, why don't you tell me what you learned today about the Olympics?
Okay! So, the Olympics started in ancient Greece thousands of years ago. Then a man named Pierre brought them back for the whole world about one hundred and thirty years ago.
Athletes from almost two hundred countries compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals. There are Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics, and the five rings stand for five parts of the world coming together.
Oh, and sports can be a friendship bridge between countries, which I think is the best part. Next I want to learn about which Olympic sport is the hardest, because I need to know what I am getting into.
That is a perfect summary, Koko. And I think that next question is a very wise one to ask. Let's come back for that one soon.
What Are the Olympics?
Ages 6–8 · ~5 min
Join Owlo and Koko as they discover the excitement of the Olympics and learn about global unity through sports!
What you'll learn
- Understand what the Olympics are
- Learn about global participation in sports
- Explore the spirit of competition and unity
What Are the Olympics?
Ages 6–8 · ~5 min
