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The Olympic Games are a sporting occasion played every two years at international level. A number of competitions are arranged where thousands of athletes from around the world take part. The history of this great sporting competition dates back to the 5th Century AD.

The Olympic Movement classified the Olympic Games into the Winter Olympic Games, the Summer Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games during the 20th and 21st Century.

The Paralympic Games are arranged for after the Olympic Games and these are for disabled athletes. The Youth Olympic Games are for adolescents and were first held in 2010. The Olympic Charter defines the structure of the International Olympic Committee i.e. the governing body of the Olympic Games.

The Olympic flag carries five interlocking circles of red, blue, yellow, green and black and was introduced in 1920. The Olympic motto says ?Swifter, Higher, and Stronger?.

Some of the sports events played in the Summer Olympics are baseball, badminton, basketball, cycling, boxing, diving, soccer, sailing, rowing, hockey, water polo, wrestling, swimming, weightlifting, tennis etc.

Games played during the Winter Olympics are skiing, ice hockey, skating, ski jumping, curling, free style skiing, cross country skiing, down hill skiing,

A gold medal is presented to each first winner and silver and bronze medals are presented to the second and third winners respectively. Victory Diplomas are the certificates which are given to some top winners of every sport. The Olympic Flame is lit according to a tradition associated with these games.

A new flame is lit for every Olympics in the Ancient Olympic Stadium in Olympia, Greece. This flame is taken to the host country where the games are to be held.

The flame is carried over the whole host country by individuals walking, running, scuba diving, riding, and using other types of transport. Actually, a number of torches are carried around the country where the games are held.

The sizeable Olympic torch is lit by the last runner carrying the torch. This substantial torch keeps burning throughout the games. The flame is put out at the end of the games during the closing ceremony. A new torch is designed for every Olympics.

Just about all the nations of the world are represented at these games. National and international media coverage provides a chance to unknown athletes to become famous. The host city and country gets an opportunity to showcase their country to the world.

The host country organizes and funds the whole event. Over 13,000 athletes compete in the Summer and Winter Olympics in more than 400 activities.

Many challenges are faced while organizing this mammoth event. Some of the chief challenges are terrorism, bribery of officials, boycotts and doping. The host city is usually chosen seven years in advance of the Olympic Games.

The United States has had the opportunity to host four Summer and four Winter Olympics. No other nation has hosted as many Olympic games.

The next Summer Olympics are scheduled to be held in London in 2012. Women are being particularly promoted to take part in these games. Female athletes will be able to take part in all the men?s sports in the coming Olympics for the first time. Women?s boxing has also been introduced thereby eliminating gender discrimination.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently concerned with London Olympics 2012 Venues. Click a link to find out more 2012 London Olympics Volunteers.

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