The Olympic Games are the world's largest international multi-sport event, an institution that brings together thousands of athletes from over 200 teams representing sovereign states or territories. The modern Games were inspired by the ancient athletic and religious festivals held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The modern revival was spearheaded by French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. Coubertin's vision was to use sport as a vehicle for peace and education, promoting international understanding and a spirit of friendly competition. The first modern Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
The Games operate under the authority of the Olympic Charter, which codifies the fundamental principles of Olympism and defines the structure and authority of the Olympic Movement. The IOC, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the governing body responsible for choosing the host city, determining the sports program, and organizing the Games. The Games are staged every four years, with the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics alternating every two years since 1994. Key related concepts include the Paralympic Games for athletes with disabilities, which were inspired by the rehabilitation of soldiers after World War II.
A significant recent change is the IOC's move away from the original amateur-only rule to the acceptance of professional athletes. Furthermore, the Paris 2024 Games will be the first to achieve full gender equality, with the same number of male and female athletes competing. The Olympic motto, "Faster, Higher, Stronger," was recently amended to include "Together" to stress unity. The Olympic Charter has also been strengthened with requirements for host cities to protect and respect human rights, consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), for Games from 2024 onwards.