The modern Olympic Games are leading international multi-sport events in
which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in various
competitions. The Summer and Winter Games are each held in a different
city every four years, offset from each other by two. Inspired by the
ancient Greek Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin founded the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, leading to the first
modern Games in 1896. The abuse of amateur rules by the Eastern Bloc in
the late 20th century prompted the IOC to begin allowing participation
by professional athletes. The growth of the Games has created challenges
and controversies, including political boycotts, doping, and
commercialisation. Olympic symbols and rituals include the Olympic flag
(pictured) and torch, the opening and closing ceremonies, and medals
given to the top three finishers in each event. The contemporary Olympic
movement includes related events, such as the Paralympic Games for
athletes with physical disabilities.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1872:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, today the largest art museum in
the United States with a collection of more than two million works,
opened in New York.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art>
1931:
Paraguayan anarchists briefly seized the city of Encarnación
as part of a larger plan to initiate a social revolution in the country.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_of_Encarnaci%C3%B3n>
1992:
Appearing on the talk show Larry King Live, U.S. industrialist
Ross Perot announced that he would begin a presidential campaign if
"ordinary people" wanted him to run for office.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Perot_1992_presidential_campaign>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
womannap:
(transitive, informal) To abduct or kidnap a woman.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/womannap>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
With the lights out, it's less dangerous Here we are now,
entertain us I feel stupid, and contagious Here we are now, entertain
us.
--Kurt Cobain
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kurt_Cobain>