The very first Olympic Games were held 2,800 years ago in ancient Greece. Here’s how this sporting event has changed since then.
(Hint: This summer’s Olympics in Paris, France, will be a lot different.)
Album/Alamy Stock Photo (Chariot); Aleksandra Konoplya/Alamy Stock Photo (Skateboard); Andre Paes/Alamy Stock Photo (Simone Biles); Fotoholica Press Agency/Alamy Stock Photo (Medal); imagedepotpro/Getty Images (Torch); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)
Sports
THEN: Athletes in 776 B.C. could compete in only one event: a sprint race. Soon sports like wrestling, jumping, and chariot racing were added.
NOW: Athletes today compete in 40 sports, from running and swimming to skateboarding and surfing.
Competitors
THEN: Only men from Greek cities competed in the Games—and they did so naked! No female athletes were allowed.
NOW: Male and female athletes from all over the world participate. They wear uniforms that represent their countries.
Prizes
THEN: Each competition had only one winner. The victors were given crowns of olive leaves.
NOW: Winners receive gold, silver, and bronze medals. There’s a different medal design for each Olympics. Here’s the 2024 design!
Spectators
THEN: Thousands of Greek people traveled by foot and in carriages to view the Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece. (That’s where the name Olympics comes from!)
NOW: The Games are held in a different city each time. This summer, 15 million spectators are expected in Paris, France. Billions more will watch on TV or online.
Symbols
THEN: Ancient Greeks kept a fire burning during the Games to honor Zeus, the king of Greek gods.
NOW: Before the Games begin, a torch is lit in Olympia, Greece. Then it gets carried by athletes to the country hosting the Games. (The trip takes months!)
Write to Win
Imagine you’re an athlete from ancient Greece who has time traveled to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Write a letter back home telling how the Games are different and what you think of them. Entries must be submitted to “Olympics Contest” by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian.* Five winners will each receive $20 gift card for the Scholastic Store Online.
*Entries must be written by a student in grades 2-8 and submitted by their teacher, parent, or legal guardian, who will be the entrant and must be a legal resident of the U.S. age 18 or older. Visit the Storyworks Contests page for more information.
This infographic was originally published in the May/June 2024 issue.
1. Reading and Discussing
Project the infographic as students follow along in their magazines.
Prompt students to use the headline, subhead, and central image to identify the topic of the infographic.
Ask: Is the purpose of the infographic to
Have students look over the labels and images surrounding the central image. Ask:
Break students into groups to read each section of the infographic and discuss what they find interesting, surprising, or convincing.
Come back together as a class and ask volunteers to summarize the main idea and supporting details from the infographic.
2. Writing
Preview the writing prompt in the “Write to Win” box.
Download and distribute the guided-writing activity that goes along with the infographic.
Have students respond to the writing prompt. If you wish, send their responses to our infographic contest.
3. Ideas to Engage and Inspire
Have students create their own infographics! Download our “Make Your Own Infographic” activity from Storyworks Digital.
Can't-Miss Teaching Extras
This engaging 5-minute video from BBC Teach provides an overview of the original Olympic Games.
Go to the Paris 2024 Olympic Sports page of the official Olympics website to discover the many sports that will be part of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France. Click on the name of each sport to learn more about it, including an overview of its rules and its Olympic history.
