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The modern Olympic Games are the world’s foremost multi-sports event.
They are the largest sporting celebration in terms of the number of sports on the programme, the number of athletes present and the number of people from different nations gathered together at the same time, in the same place, in the spirit of friendly competition.
Organised every four years, they include a summer and a winter edition. Athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Olympic Refugee Team are eligible to compete in a wide range of sporting disciplines and events, watched by a worldwide audience.
The first edition of the modern Olympic Games was staged in Athens, Greece, in 1896, while the first winter edition was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. Since 1994, the Olympic Games have alternated between a summer and winter edition every two years within the four-year period of each Olympiad.
Olympic Games: Roles and Responsibilities
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Olympic Games news
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Beijing 2022 Pre-Games Sustainability Report outlines climate solutions, development of winter sports and regional regeneration in China
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Bespoke artworks from seven Olympian artists lead digital programme for Olympic Agora
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Additional guidance given to those travelling to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022
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Playbooks not just a rule book, but a way of life in the lead-up to Beijing 2022
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![The National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, and the Ice Cube, formerly known as the Water Cube, and other venues]()
Beijing 2022 Main Media Centre opens with one month to go
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![Women Skateboarders at Tokyo 2020 win Fair Play Award]()
Women Skateboarders at Tokyo 2020 win Fair Play Award
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Upcoming Games
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Past Games
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YOG
Youth Olympic Games
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The Youth Olympic Games are aimed at bringing together talented young athletes aged from 15 to 18 from around the world. The sports programme is mainly based on that of the Olympic Games. In addition, it includes exciting new sports, disciplines and formats.
Away from the field of play, the education programme uses a variety of fun and interactive activities, workshops and team-building exercises to give the participating athletes the opportunity to learn about the Olympic values, explore other cultures, develop the skills to become true ambassadors of their sport, and improve their training methods and performance.
Gangwon 2024
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The fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games 2024 will be held in Gangwon province in the cities of Pyeongchang and Gangneung (Republic of Korea), home to the Olympic Winter Games 2018.
Youth Olympic Games
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More information
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Olympics.com
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Preparing Olympic Games
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Once the host is chosen, years of work go into the preparation of the Olympic Games. Each edition of the Olympic Games is organised by a different host. Hosting duties are entrusted in principle to a city. However, in the interests of sustainability and to prioritise the use of existing or temporary venues and infrastructure, some hosting duties may take place outside the region or even the country. Find information about all the activities of the IOC around past Olympic Games here.