Grayslake Library Blog

  For over the past century, the world has gathered every four years to compete in the Olympic Games. This spectacle traces its origins back to 776 BCE, when the ancient Greeks competed to honor Zeus. Similar to today’s competitors representing various nations from around the globe, the original participants represented the city-states of Greece. The first modern games were held in 1896, in Athens, Greece, to honor the Games’ origins. The revival of the Games can be attributed to Pierre de Coubertin from Paris, co-founder and second president of the International Olympic Committee. Pierre wholeheartedly believed in the positive impact of sport, be it physical or mental, individual or collective. He saw the Olympics as a way to bring the world together, much like how the Ancient Games brought Greece together. The symbol of the Olympics is iconic and instantly recognizable, but did you know the meaning behind the choice of colors? The five colored rings (blue, black, red, yellow, green)