Which country is the origin of the Olympic Games?

Greece is the country of origin of the Olympic Games. The ancient Games were held at Olympia, a sanctuary in the western Peloponnese dedicated chiefly to Zeus, king of the Greek gods.

The first traditionally recorded Olympic festival took place in 776 BC, although athletic and religious competitions may have existed at Olympia earlier. Greek city-states sent competitors to the festival, which was held every four years. Victors received wreaths made from sacred olive branches and returned home as celebrated heroes.

The ancient Olympics included footraces, wrestling, boxing, the pankration, chariot racing, and the pentathlon. They were religious festivals as much as sporting events, and the famous Olympic truce helped athletes and visitors travel safely to Olympia. The ancient Games ended in late antiquity, commonly dated to AD 393 or shortly afterward.

The modern Olympics began in Athens in 1896 after French educator Pierre de Coubertin helped establish the International Olympic Committee. Thus, Italy hosted some modern Games and Turkey has competed in them, but Greece is the original home of the Olympics.