Get Ready for the Games!

The first Olympics were held in ancient Greece. They were different from modern Games in a few ways.

The ancient Olympics were the Greeks’ way of honoring their gods, like Zeus. The modern Games are about honoring the talents of athletes of all nations.

The original Games included competitions in music and theater as well as athletic events. Modern Olympics are all about sports, with events like baseball, judo, and water polo.

An ancient ruler stopped the Olympics in the year 393. For 1,500 years, there were no Games. Then, in 1892, a Frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin decided it was time to revive the Games.

Coubertin believed the best way to train young people’s minds was to train their bodies as well. He also thought sports could build respect between people from different countries. And he hoped that friendly competition would replace other types of world conflict, such as war.

At the time, his beliefs were not very popular. But Coubertin was determined. In 1894, he started the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and began planning the modern Games.

The Summer Games in Tokyo will last for 16 days. During the opening ceremony, each country’s team will enter the Olympic stadium. As always, the Greek team will be first. The host team is always last.

Because of Covid, fans will not be allowed to travel to Japan for the Tokyo Olympic Games. They’ll have to watch all the action on their TVs and computers.

This news may be disappointing to some. But others see the Games as a sign of hope and resilience, especially after months of dealing with the pandemic.

“The Olympic Games in Tokyo will be the light at the end of the tunnel,” says IOC President Thomas Bach.

1. How was the purpose of the first Olympic Games different from the purpose of the Olympic Games today?

2. What is the section “Welcome to Japan!” mostly about?

3. What does Thomas Bach mean when he says the Olympic Games will be “the light at the end of the tunnel”?