FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2022-067 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (April 06, 2022) – In Issue 2022-067 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, a lot of history of the Olympic Games.

Honoring Zeus

Greek city, states, and kingdoms sent their athletes to compete at Olympia, Greece in honor of Zeus.  The first games were most likely held in 776 BC and the last one about 1100 years later.  A good run.

The games were revived largely through the effort of Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the International Olympic Committee in 1894.

It was all together proper to hold the first modern Olympics in Greece, with the “Games” opening on April 6, 1896, in Athens.  This time, as opposed to the ancient games, the athletes wore clothing.

Since then, a plethora of new events were included, the Winter Games were added in 1924, women started competing in 1900, etc.  And the games became a lot more commercial.

Here is Teesdale’s map of Greece from 1831.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.