However, as the Roman Empire’s power infiltrated Greece, Emperor Theodosius I outlawed the Olympics as a pagan festival in 393 AD. The Olympics laid dormant for nearly 1500 years until a French historian, Pierre de Coubertin, officially revived the Olympics by setting up the International Olympic Committee to organize the Games. Athens, Greece became the host city of the first modern Olympics in 1896. In keeping with ancient traditions, the Olympics are held in four year cycles known as the Olympiad. However, the host city now changes to spread the goodwill and the Olympic spirit to other nations.
The Olympics has certainly come a long way from ancient times but the wealth of history that surrounds the spectacle remains. Perhaps that is why the Olympics will continue to capture the imagination of a worldwide audience throughout the ages.
Olympic Blvd is the place for all things related to the Olympic Games. To celebrate the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, check out the Beijing FUWA mascots souvenirs we have available in a variety of FUWA mascot plush dolls.
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