<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (French: Jeux olympiques) are leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions . The Olympic Games are considered the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating . The Olympic Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart . </P> <P> Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD . Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, leading to the first modern Games in Athens in 1896 . The IOC is the governing body of the Olympic Movement, with the Olympic Charter defining its structure and authority . </P> <P> The evolution of the Olympic Movement during the 20th and 21st centuries has resulted in several changes to the Olympic Games . Some of these adjustments include the creation of the Winter Olympic Games for ice and winter sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with a disability, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes . The Deaflympics and Special Olympics are also endorsed by the IOC . The IOC has had to adapt to a variety of economic, political, and technological advancements . </P>

Who organized the first modern olympic games in 1896