Olimpiadi

Olimpiadi, Italian for the Olympic Games, are the world’s premier international multi-sport event organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They comprise the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games, staged in alternating four-year cycles so a new edition occurs every two years.

The modern Olimpiadi were revived in the 1890s by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, drawing on the ancient Games held in Olympia. The first modern Games took place in Athens in 1896, with athletes from numerous nations competing in a wide range of events. The Winter Games began later, in 1924 in Chamonix, expanding the program to include winter sports.

Key symbols and principles include the five interlaced rings, representing the continents, the Olympic flame, and the motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger). The Games emphasize a spirit of fair competition, international friendship, and cultural exchange, alongside ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and sports development worldwide.

Participation and organization are governed by the Olympic Charter and the IOC. Host cities are chosen through a bidding process and undertake significant investments in venues, logistics, and infrastructure. In addition to the Olympics, the Paralympic Games provide a platform for athletes with disabilities and are organized in coordination with the IOC through the International Paralympic Committee. The Olimpiadi have grown into a global event with wide cultural and economic impact, while facing ongoing debates about costs, sustainability, and governance.