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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

womannap: (transitive, informal) To abduct or kidnap a woman. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/womannap

___________________________ 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