Why are there olympics

The testing of athletes for drug use began for the Olympics in , at the Mexico City Games, but did not become widespread until the Games. Over the years, as drugs such as human growth hormone have been developed, tests have been added for newer drugs.

With such great rewards at stake, there are athletes and even national sports programs willing to use performance-enhancing drugs despite the risks to future health and the disgrace of getting caught.

The best-known example of drug use is the East German sports federation, which had a systematic program for giving its athletes steroids from to During that time East German women suddenly dominated events such as swimming, winning medals in 11 of 13 events both in and Other swimmers suspected that the East German women were using steroids, because the drugs affected their physical appearance, but the team was never caught.

After the reunification of Germany, the East German sports federation's records were opened and the program was exposed. In the former head of the federation and the doctor who developed and administered the drug plan were convicted of systematic and overall doping.

The former athletes maintain that they never knew they were taking steroids, claiming that they were told that the various medications were vitamins.

As drug testing procedures have improved, more athletes have been caught. In Seoul there was suspicion of widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs after Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive; he was stripped of his gold medal.

In the mids, China's female swimmers and runners quickly rose to the top of elite competition, arousing suspicions of drug use; by the late s many were caught through more diligent drug testing. The IOC publicly decries the use of performance-enhancing drugs. However, it is commonly believed that even with out-of-competition testing, the drugs and masking agents available to athletes is far ahead of the tests used to detect these substances.

A study released in September that was financed by the U. Bibliography: Finding, John E. Create a List. List Name Save. Rename this List. Rename this list. List Name Delete from selected List. Save to. Save to:. Save Create a List. Create a list. Save Back. The History of the Olympic Games. Grades 6—8 , 9— The Ancient Olympics The earliest reliable date that recorded history gives for the first Olympics is B.

Their prize? Bragging rights for their home country—plus, you know, a shiny gold medal. Victors in the earliest Olympics won a crown of olive leaves. The first known Olympics were held in the summer of B. Athletes prayed to Zeus for victory and left gifts to thank him for their successes. Worshipping Zeus was one of the few things the ancient Greeks agreed on.

Divided into different city-states, or settlements, the Greeks were often at war with each other. But even in times of unrest, dueling city-states declared a truce so their athletes could take part in the Olympics. Many events, including sprinting and wrestling, are still part of the modern games. The Melbourne Olympics were a lot like a game of water polo. The Olympic Games aim to help build a better, more peaceful world through sports.

But in the year history of the modern Games, the quadrennial international competitions have been marred by geopolitical drama, resulting in cancellations, bans and boycotts. Some Games, such Singer Tina Turner was the main draw at the opening ceremony in San Francisco for the first Gay Games in , but city supervisor Doris Ward may have received the biggest reaction from the crowd. Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Recommended for you. How the Troubles Began in Northern Ireland.

Forgotten Games. Winter Olympics Technology. Michael Phelps Shatters Olympic Record. Contrary evidence, both literary and archaeological, suggests that the games may have existed at Olympia much earlier than this date, perhaps as early as the 10th or 9th century BC.

What's that, you ask? A series of bronze tripods have been found at Olympia, some of which may date to the 9th century BC, and it has been suggested that these tripods may in fact be prizes for some of the early events at Olympia. Source: Deutsches Archaologisches Institut, Athen. Did you know Additional athletic events were gradually added until, by the 5th century BC, the religious festival consisted of a five-day program.

For a complete list of events, click here. For a complete list of modern Olympic Game location sites, click here.