The Olympics is a multi-sport event of the world. The original Olympic games were first recorded in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BC; and were celebrated till 393 AD. The first modern Olympic games were started in 1859; then they were held in 1870, and 1875. They were revived near Athens, Greece. The International Olympic Committee was founded in 1894.

The bearing of a torch, for example, formed an integral part of Greek ceremonies but the Ancient Games did not include a torch-lighting ceremony, nor was there a symbol formed by interconnecting rings. The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914, and used in the Games in Antwerp in 1920. They also encompass many other rituals which evolved during the late 19th and early 20th century. Most of these traditions are on display during the Opening and Closing ceremonies and the medal presentations.

The Olympic Rings are the most widely used symbol of Olympic Games. These five intertwined rings represent the unity of the five inhabited continents (with the Americas regarded as one continent). The five colored rings on a white field form the Olympic Flag. The colors, white, red, blue, green, yellow, and black, were chosen such that each nation has at least one of these colors in its national flag. The flag was adopted in 1914 and was used in 1920.

The most popular myth about these Games is surrounded its creator Heracles. Heracles built the Olympic Stadium and surrounding buildings as an honor to his father Zeus, after completing his 12 labors. After he built the stadium he walked in a straight line for 400 strides and called this distance a "stadion" (Latin: stadium, "stage") that later also became a unit of distance. This is also why a modern stadium track is 400 meters in circumference — the distance a runner travels in one lap (1 stadium = 400 m). The date of the Games' creation was based on a four year cycle.

The Olympics were of fundamental religious importance, contests alternating with sacrifices and ceremonies honoring both Zeus (whose colossal statue stood at Olympia), and Pelops who was famous for his chariot races and in whose honor the games were held.

Sports
The most famous Ancient Olympic athlete lived during the 6th century BC: the wrestler Milo of Croton is the only athlete in history to win a victory in six Olympics. During the ancient times normally only young men could participate. The sportsmen usually competed nude. This was due in part to the weather and also because the festival was meant to be a celebration of the achievements of the human body. Upon winning the event, the victor would have not only the prestige of being in first place but would also be presented with a crown of olive leaves - the olive branch as a sign of hope and peace.

This first Modern Olympics had only nine disciplines: Athletics, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics, Shooting, Swimming, Tennis, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. All nine of these events have been held in Olympic competition in every Olympics since 1896.

Financing
Its financing is difficult so this is deferred by holding it several cities or sometimes in several countries. The first time it was held in several countries in 1920 (Antiwerp) - two sailing races were held in Netherlands. In 1956, in Melbourne (Australia), equestrian events took place in Sweden. The 2008 Olympic Games will mark the third time when the equestrian events have taken place in Hong Kong which competes separately from China.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

Olympic Torch and Other Formalities
Prior to each Games, the Olympic Flame is lit in Olympia, Greece and brought to the host city by runners carrying the torch in relay. There it plays an important role in the opening ceremonies. Though the torch fire has been around since 1928, the relay was introduced in 1936 as part of the then German government's attempt to promote their National Socialist ideology. The Torch is lit in Athens, Greece, taken to the host country, brought into the stadium, passed from athlete to athlete, until it reaches the last carrier of the Torch, often a well-known athlete from the host nation, who lights the fire in the stadium's cauldron.

The Olympic mascot, an animal or human figure representing the cultural heritage of the host country, was introduced in 1968. It has played an important part of the games since 1980 with the debut of Misha, a Russian bear. French and English are the official languages of the Olympic movement.

Traditionally (starting at the 1928 Summer Olympics), Greece enters first, due to its historical status as the origin of the Olympics, while the host nation marches the last. In 2004, when the Games were held in Athens, Greece marched last as host nation rather than first, although the flag of Greece was carried in first.

The Process
(1) The ceremony starts with some cultural programs and shows.
(2) The Athletes enter the arena. Normally Greece enters first, due to its historical status as the origin of the Olympics, while the host nation marches the last.
(3) The heads of local Olympic Committee and the International Committee introduce the Game.
(4) The Head of the Host country declares the Games OPEN.
(5) Olympic flag is brought by eight eminent people and is hoisted. Olympic flag was first taken horizontally in Rome, Italy, from 1960.
(6) After this the Torch is taken into the Stadium, it stays there lit for the whole Olympic Games period - 2 weeks.
(7) Games continue for two weeks.
(8) On the last day, in the arena, The Olympic flag is brought down and the Greece flag is put up. The flag is not let touch the ground.
(9) 8 Military people carried the Olympic flag
(10) Mayor of the host city comes and waves the Olympic flag.
(11) He gives the flag to the Mayor of the next host city (in 2012 case, it was Brazil, so it was handed over to the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro)
(12) Brazil flag is put up.
(13) Greece and Brazil flag are now up together.
(14) The next hot country (in this case Brazil) presents a couple of program to show its happiness and welcome the Olympic games.

(15) Chairman of London Olympic Committee delivers the thanks address to the people of London - LOGOC.
(16) President of International Olympic Committee announces the next location.
(17) Olympic games flame is extinguished.

Leaving the cultural shows apart, the main ceremony takes about 2.5 to 3.00 hours.