Olympic Games even in ancient times were incredibly ambitious sports.Originating in VIII century BC, they lasted until 394 AD, little did not live up to the final fall of the Western Roman Empire, which lost ancient world as a whole.The ancient capital of the Olympic Games was located in Olympia, from which, in fact, they got their name.The polis and the Roman period, enjoyed incredible popularity contest.For example, archaeologists excavated in the XIX century old stadium holds up to 45,000 spectators, despite the fact that the population of the whole of Hellas numbered variously estimated one to three million people.Sport has become so popular that literally towered even over the political and social issues fade into the background during the games.Everyone is familiar with the ancient tradition of a truce during these periods (which the Greeks themselves called ekerhiya).Moreover, for diplomats from both sides of the capital of the Olympic Games is a place for meetings and negotiations.Cancel this sporting event was not connected with the crisis tendencies of the ancient empire in general, but more with the establishment of Christianity as the state ideology.Gaining strength religions lay claim to world domination, sickened Olympic traditions of sacrifice, the obvious focus of pagan cult of human strength and agility, well built body.In 394, the emperor Theodosius was banned and very few games have not lived until the fall of civilization itself under the onslaught of the barbarians.
revival of traditional competitions
At the end of the XIX century, when the sport is not just the newly gained huge popularity in our world, and became a professional were established and the first competitions.Not surprisingly, for the new game was elected their ancestor - Greece.A 1 capital of modern Olympic Games - Athens.Though, as the first attempt, they had a lot of shortcomings, much different from today, but caused quite a keen interest.Athens, the ancient city, the capital of the Olympic Games once again, she gathered a lot of spectators and athletes from fourteen countries.Once again, the competition has become one of the highest embodiment of the sports world, a symbol of peace.However, there are different.In 1936, the summer capital of the Olympic Games - Berlin - is also the capital and aggressive Hitler's regime, which in the same year, sent troops into the Rhineland demilitarized zone, and for a few more years, committed flagrant violations of international treaties that eventually led to the SecondWorld War II and the temporary suspension of the events from 1940 to 1944.
Russian reception
Among the other interesting honors contemporary events of their ancient pre-image is the inclusion of winter sports.Accordingly, there are now winter and summer capital of the Olympic Games.So, last summer event took London in 2012, and winter - Vancouver in 2010. In 2014, the capital of the Olympic Games - Sochi, Russia.
