There are many different theories about the origin of the Olympics. Renowned sources in various parts of ancient Greece and Rome tell us stories that are vague and disjointed, and range to possible epics that are so intricately woven a sci-fi writer would be dumb founded. The Olympic Games’ origin is at some point truly unknown, but different myths handed down from generation to generation have proved to be useful while crafting an overall idea about the History of the Olympics. The Olympics today are the biggest and most noted sports event in the world, and even though football and cricket tournaments form a major chunk of the viewership for the sports community the Olympic Games are a very important part of the sports oriented communities.

Some theories are connected to the fact that the guardians of Zeus had held the first foot race to celebrate his triumph over his own father – Cronus for accession of domination of the world. These Olympic Games have since continued to show the evolution and marked the growth of the sporting world creating a foundation for sporting events and healthy competition. The Olympics have thus created a base for all the sporting events that encircle our world today.

Another theory states that the origin of the Olympics came from a famous Greek Hero, Pelops, who triumphed in a chariot race with Oenomaus to win Oenomaus’s daughters hand in marriage, and to show his appreciation for the sport he founded the Olympic Games.

Athletic games were an integral part of numerous religious rituals, and some believe that the real reason behind the formation of such an event was to connect the Pantheon – the group of Olympians (the gods) to the Earth, hence the theory of Mount Olympus.

In the Iliad Homer writes that the legendary Achilles held the Olympic Games for the funeral service for his best friend – Patroclus. And as a tribute he combined all his favourite sports – a chariot race, a footrace, a discus match, a boxing competition and a wrestling match in one connected event to show his bond with his best friend. Thus lay another theory behind the formation of the Olympics and the Olympic Games.