The Olympic GamesThe original Olymp

The Olympic Games
The original Olympic Games (begin) [?] around 800 BC in Ancient Greece, and (continue) [?] until they (be) [?] abolished by the Roman Emperor Theodosius in AD 393. The first modern Olympics (take place) [?] in Athens in 1896, and since then, more than a dozen different countries (stage) [?] the Summer Olympics. The cities of Athens, Paris, London, Berlin and Los Angeles (stage) [?] the Olympics twice.

In 1956, Australia (become) [?] the first country outside Europe and America to stage the Olympics, while Mexico (be) [?] the first Latin American country to stage the Olympics, in 1968.

Many of the greatest athletes in the world (take part) [?] in the Olympic Games, but no one (equal) [?] the achievements of the great Finnish athlete, Paavo Nurmi, who between 1920 and 1928 (win) [?] nine gold and three silver medals.

The Olympic Games (see) [?] many tragedies and triumphs. For example, in the marathon of 1908, the little Italian, Dorando Pietri (collapse) [?] five times in the last part of the race, but (come) [?] first - only to be disqualified because spectators (help) [?] him over the finishing line. And in 1936, the famous black American athlete Jesse Owens, (break) [?] six world records in a single day!

From the first modern Olympics in Athens, when only fourteen countries (participate) [?], the Olympics (grow) [?] to include over 200 countries. Gold, silver and bronze medals (go) [?] to over 13,000 men and women.