Now Olympics 2016 but what is the history behind the Olympics Games?

August 6 at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil the Summer Olympic games 2016 begins. A lot of games ranging from athletics, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, table tennis, football to weightlifting will be taking place. If you want to see your favourite or world renowned sports personalities, then Rio is the place to be this summer. But how did it all begin?

It is undoubtedly true that the ancient Greek played significant role in the development and civilization of our current world and so it came as no surprise that the root of the modern Olympics games is linked to the ancient Greeks.

In the 8^th century the ancient Greeks started the Olympic Games and it was first held in Olympia, a city in Greece. This could probably influence the name of the modern game (Olympic Games). Just as it occurs every four years today, the same is true for the ancient Greek Olympic Games.

In 1894, the world governing body of the games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) was formed and since then it has been in operation. The IOC is the major decision making body which decides in which city the games can be held and it plays other roles as well.

Under the IOC, the first Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896 and it was a success. The second was in France. Since then the Olympics game continued till date.

Below are some countries and the year in which the summer Olympics Games were held.

Year	City	Country
1896	Athens	Greece
1900	Paris	France
1904	St. Louis	USA
1908	London	Great Britain
1912	Stockholm	Sweden
1920	Antwerp	Belgium
1924	Paris	France
1928	Amsterdam	Netherlands
1932	Los Angeles	USA
1936	Berlin	Germany
1948	London	Great Britain
1952	Helsinki	Finland
1956	Melbourne	Australia
1960	Rome	Italy
1964	Tokyo	Japan
1968	Mexico City	Mexico
1972	Munich	West Germany
1976	Montreal	Canada
1980	Moscow	Soviet Union
1984	Los Angeles	USA
1988	Seoul	South Korea
1992	Barcelona	Spain
1996	Atlanta	USA
2000	Sidney	Australia
2004	Athens	Greece
2008	Beijing	China
2012	London	Great Britain
2016	Rio de Janeiro	Brazil
2020	Tokyo	Japan

Just as any other institution, the Olympic Games also faced a lot of challenges. Due to world wars, the games were not held in 1916, 1940 and 1944. In the years 1980 and 1984, it was boycotted by large number of countries because of the cold war. Other challenges include doping, bribery and terrorist attacks especially in 1972.

Now not only the summer Olympics but winter Olympics: which is held in winter every two year after the summer Olympics, Paralympics (Olympics for people with disability) and youth Olympics/games (for teenagers), is organized.