Sports festival.
In ancient Greece it was a Panhellenic festival held every fourth year and made up of contests of sports, music, and literature. Since 1896 the name has been used for a modified revival of the ancient Games, consisting of international athletic contests held at four-year intervals. The original Games included footraces, the discus and javelin throws, the long jump, boxing, wrestling, the pentathlon, and chariot races. After the subjugation of Greece by Rome, the Games declined; they were finally abolished in AD 393. They were revived in the late 19th century through the efforts of the baron de archery , baseball , basketball , boxing , canoeing , cycling , diving , equestrian sports, fencing , field hockey , football (soccer), gymnastics , handball , judo , modern pentathlon , rowing , sailing , shooting , softball , swimming , table tennis , tennis , track and field (athletics), triathlon , volleyball , water polo , weight lifting , and wrestling . The program for the Winter Games includes the biathlon , bobsledding , ice hockey , lugeing , and numerous ice- skating and skiing events. The programs may also include demonstration sports and exhibitions.