什麼是奧運會

在古希臘，希臘人每四年舉行一次的節日活動，為運動、音樂和文學的競賽。首屆現代奧運會於1896年舉行。每四年一屆，分別在世界不同城市舉行。最初奧運會舉行賽跑、鐵餅、標槍、跳遠、拳擊、摔跤、五項全能、馬車賽等其他專案。西元393年羅馬征服希臘後被取消，19世紀晚期，由於法國人顧拜旦的努力，奧運會得以恢復。第一屆奧運會在雅典舉行。1924年舉行首次冬季奧運會。國際奧委會（總部設在瑞士洛桑）負責指導現代奧運會並管理比賽會。1896年後奧運會以田徑為主，亦有從射箭到帆船等其他專案。現今比賽專案包括射箭、籃球、拳擊、輕艇、自由車、跳水、馬術、擊劍、曲棍球、足球、體操、壁手球、柔道、現代五項全能運動、划船運動、射擊、游泳、桌球、網球、田徑運動、排球、水球、舉重、角力、帆船等。冬季奧運會比賽有冬季兩項運動（滑雪和射擊）、有舵雪橇滑雪運動、冰上曲棍球、無舵雪橇運動、跳臺滑雪、滑冰和滑雪。此外還設表演專案。

Olympic Games

In ancient Greece, a Panhellenic festival held every fourth year and made up of contests of sports, music, and literature. Since 1896, the name has been used for a modified revival of the ancient games consisting of international athletic contests held at four-year intervals. The original Greek games included footraces, the discus and javelin throws, the long jump, boxing, wrestling, the pentathlon, and chariot races. After the subjugation of Greece by Rome, the games declined; they were finally abolished in AD 393. They were revived in the late 19th cent through the efforts of the baron de Coubertin, the first modern games being held in Athens. The first Winter Games were held in 1924. The direction of the modern Olympic movement and the regulation of the games is vested in the International Olympic Committee, headquartered at Lausanne, Switzerland. Until the 1970s the games adhered to a strict code of amateurism, but since that time professional players have also been allowed to participate. Programs for the Summer Games include competition in archery, basketball, boxing, canoeing, cycling, diving, equestrian sports, fencing, field hockey, football (soccer), gymnastics, handball, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field (athletics), volleyball, water polo, weight lifting, and wrestling. The program for the Winter Games includes the biathlon, bobsledding, ice hockey, lugeing, and numerous ice-skating and skiing events. The programs may also include demonstration sports and exhibitions.