Every four years the best international athletes come together and compete for supremacy. This has been in existence since 1896. In 1896 the first modern day Summer Olympics was held in Athens, Greece which is seen as the birthplace of the summer games. In 1904, the top three finishers or teams have been awarded medals based on their position. Gold medals for first place, silver for second place, and bronze for third place. The dirtiest secret in the Olympic Games is that the gold medal is really not solid gold. They are solid silver with a coating of gold on top. The games were originally formed to promote International unity and understanding of the various cultures. There are two version of these games the Winter Olympics which occurs during the winter months and the summer Olympic games that have many more events and take place in the warmer of the two seasons. The traditional version of the games was originally a summer only event, but due to its success the Winter Olympic game were formed. In the summer version there are well over forty different events to compete in.

Below you will find a great number of high quality teacher worksheets and reading passages that will get you in step with all things summer games. We take a snapshot of the best and worst times of the games. We will explore the beginnings of this event and how it has developed into the commercial animal that it is today. Which at the evolution that occurred to the athletes, the spectators, and even the facilities where these events take place. We also look back at some of the most memorable moments in Olympic history.