How did the modern Olympics begin? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 15, 2026 · 13 MIN

How did the modern Olympics begin?

from History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast · host SCL

Get ready to race into the biggest sporting event in history! Did you know that the ancient Olympic games were actually dead and buried for 1,500 years? That is, until a French historian named Pierre de Coubertin had a wild, giant idea to bring them back! Join Mira and Finn on History's Not Boring as they travel back to 1896 in Athens, Greece, for the very first modern Olympics. But these games looked completely different from the massive ones we watch on TV today! There were only 241 athletes from 14 countries, and the marble tracks were so crazy that runners had to slow down so they wouldn't fly out of their lanes! Discover the hilarious true story of Spyridon Louis, a humble water-carrier who ran the brutal 25-mile marathon in heavy shoes and even stopped at a local inn for a drink halfway through his race! Plus, find out when women were finally allowed to compete and discover the secret meaning behind the famous five colorful Olympic rings! Lace up your running shoes and let's sprint into history!

Get ready to race into the biggest sporting event in history! Did you know that the ancient Olympic games were actually dead and buried for 1,500 years? That is, until a French historian named Pierre de Coubertin had a wild, giant idea to bring them back! Join Mira and Finn on History's Not Boring as they travel back to 1896 in Athens, Greece, for the very first modern Olympics. But these games looked completely different from the massive ones we watch on TV today! There were only 241 athlete...

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How did the modern Olympics begin?

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This episode is 13 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 15, 2026.

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Get ready to race into the biggest sporting event in history! Did you know that the ancient Olympic games were actually dead and buried for 1,500 years? That is, until a French historian named Pierre de Coubertin had a wild, giant idea to bring them...

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