How the Olympics have Changed....

The Olympic games is held every four years in different countries' cities with athletes from different countries competing in the sporting events while representing their country. The symbol of the Olympic flag symbolizes the unity of the continents (North and South America considered as one continent) and the colors green, red, blue, yellow and black were chosen because at least one color was shown in a country's own flag.

However, back to the time of the Ancient Olympics, the games were only made to honor the Greek god, Zeus. Religion was the important part in the events where sacrifices and prayers were made to the gods. In Ancient History, people that weren't from Greece were restricted to participate in the games and women were not allowed to partake in the events as well; the penalty for being caught participating or watching the events could even lead to death!

Nowadays, athletes that won an event were given medals as a prize for their achievement. There were also medals for second place and third place which would be the silver and bronze medals. The three flags of the three finalists would be raised with the winner's flag being in the center and his or her national anthem would be sung so that the winner's country would be given recognition.

Back in the Ancient Olympics the recognition was only give to the winner; there would be no recognition give to the third or second place. The winner of an event would be crowned with an olive branch wreath that was taken from sacred olive trees of Zeus. Some athletes cheated in the events and people who were caught were fined and would be considered a disgrace to everyone. Winning in the events of the Ancient Olympic Games could also make an athlete extremely famous and could even make them become leaders in their community.

Overtime the Olympics have changed from being held in one place to hosting it in different countries; From having one recognition for winner only to acknowledging the second and third finalists of an event and many more changes have occurred since the beginning of the Olympics.