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The first Olympics

Know that the Olympic Games began in ancient Greece at a place called Olympia as athletic competitions held in honour of Zeus, and that the modern Olympic Games we watch today were inspired by those ancient games

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What a learner can do afterwards

  • Say that the Olympic Games started in ancient Greece at Olympia
  • Name at least one sport or event from the ancient Olympics such as running or wrestling
  • Explain that today's Olympic Games got the idea from the ancient Greek ones

The lesson

Long ago, people in Greece loved sports. They started special games at a place called Olympia. These games honored Zeus, the king of the gods.

RunningWrestlingJumpingDiscus
The first Olympics had sports like running and wrestling.
Try it together

Nikos goes to Olympia to watch a race. Runners race fast to win a crown of leaves. This happened almost three thousand years ago.

RunningWrestlingJumpingDiscus
Good to know

Today's Olympic Games still use that same idea. Athletes from many countries still compete, just like long ago.

The first Olympics began in ancient Greece, at Olympia. Today's Games still follow that same idea.

Watch it

Where it sits

Learn first

This opens up

Nothing builds on it yet.

Where this leads

Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.

Then practise

8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.

The first Olympics · History, ages 5 to 7 · LightMySky