Critically evaluate how the Olympic Games has developed both politically and commercially over the last 100 years.

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Critically evaluate how the Olympic Games has developed both politically and commercially over the last 100 years.

The Olympic Games are a quadrennial event which dates back to 776BC, at the time of the ancient Greeks. The Games were originally held at Olympia along with festivals combining prayer, sacrifices, religious service, music, dancing and rituals all dedicated to the God, Zeus, (Coakley 2001). The events in those days were for the wealthy, young males and were of warrior nature such as boxing, wrestling, javelin throwing, sprinting and chariot racing, (Coakley 2001). Women were not allowed to compete in these early Olympics. Another event was created specifically for Women, dedicated to Hera, the sister-wife of Zeus and these were known as the Heraean Games.

The modern day Olympic Games were revived by a man named Pierre De Courbetin in 1894. He formed a board of members in whom he trusted to organise and run the Olympic Games. This board of individuals was known as the International Olympic Committee, IOC. It was only possible to become a committee member by invitation from Pierre De Courbetin. In this way he ensured that he could select his committee from people whom he