| The governing body of the Olympic Games is the | | | | demonstration sports, such as dog sled racing and |
| International Olympic Committee (IOC). They | | | | gliding. |
| have been responsible for the games since they | | | | Briefly, the IOC's role is to encourage and support |
| revived the Olympic Games with Summer | | | | ethics and fair play in sports, nurture and protect |
| Olympics at Athens in 1896. In 1924, the first | | | | the sporting games and the participating athletes |
| Winter Olympics were held in France. Games | | | | through education, drug testing, and to maintain |
| were held in the same year through 1992 when | | | | the highest principles of sports organizations |
| the IOC began alternating the Summer and | | | | throughout the world. In addition, the IOC is the |
| Winter Games every four years, but two years | | | | caretaker of non violent games, concern for the |
| apart respectively. | | | | environment, and the protector of the Games |
| The 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held in | | | | themselves from political disruption and corruption. |
| Beijing, China, and included 31 summer sports. The | | | | They determine any current Olympic Sport List. |
| 2010 Winter Games will be held in Vancouver, | | | | They are the final decision makers in the event of |
| Canada. The number and type of games on the | | | | any dispute. They also select the host cities, and |
| Olympic Sport List varies slightly in different | | | | work to ensure the peaceful continuance of the |
| years. Occasionally games are added and | | | | Olympic Games. |
| discontinued. The IOC also may allow | | | | |