Sports enthusiasts around the world flock to the Olympic Games or watch them on television. There is something about the anticipation of victory, the agony of defeat, and ability of the human spirit to overcome all odds, that attracts all ages and levels of sports fans. Here are a few interesting facts about these games you may not know.

The Olympic Games date back to ancient Greece, but the modern version began in 1894 when the International Olympic Committee was established. Over 200 world nations participate, and being an international event, global political conflicts influence the games. For example, the games were cancelled in 1916, 1940, and 1944 due to war. In 1980 and 1984, the Cold War resulted in limited international participation.

The location of the Olympics changes every four years. The host city is selected about seven years in advance so the necessary infrastructure can be constructed to support the athletes and spectators. Major world cities compete for the honor of hosting the Olympics. Some of the past host cities include London, Athens, Los Angeles, Lake Placid, Salt Lake City, Innsbruck, Barcelona, Nagano, and Calgary. Future host cities include Rio de Janeiro, Pyeongchang, and Sochi. Read more »

Sports are a collection of some of the most fun things that you can do for your health and your state of mind. These activities can put you in the best possible position to feel great during the course of the day and can also help you to establish a strong friend base with people that you did not think you connected with. Lastly, sports are fantastic for building confidence and self esteem, while teaching you some of the most important lessons in life that you will ever learn.

If you have just moved to a recent neighborhood, try to join a sports team in your area. Read more »