The Olympic Games (41) _______ in 776 B.C. I Olympia, a small town in Greece. Participants in the first Olympiad are said to have run 200-yard race, but as the Games (42)_______ every four years, they expanded in scope. Only Greek amateurs were (43)_______ to participate in this festival in honor of the God Zeus. The event became a religious, patriotic, and athletic occasion (44) _______ winners were honored with wreaths and special privileges.

The modern Olympic Games (45) _______ in Athens in 1896 as a result (46) _______ the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator (47) _______ desire was to promote international understanding through athletics. Nine nations (48) _______ in the first Games; over 100 nations currently compete.

Before the 1970s the Games were officially limited to (49) _______ with amateur status, but in the 1980s many events were opened to (50) _______ athletes. Currently, the Games are open to all, even the top professional athletes in basketball and football (soccer).

The Olympic Games (41) _______ in 776 B.C