The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (known in French as "Jeux olympiques") are the 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 apex sports competition with more than 200 teams, representing independent countries participating; by default the Games generally substitute for any World Championships the year in which they take place. The Olympic Games are normally Organized every four years, and since 1994, have been scheduled between the Summer and Winter Olympics every two years during a period of four.

Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, 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 (which encompasses all entities and individuals involved in the Olympic Games) with the Olympic Charter defining its structure and authority.

The coming of the Olympic Movement during the 20th and 21st centuries has resulted in several changes to the Olympic Games. Some of these changes include the creation of the Winter Olympic Games for snow and icing sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with disabilities, the Youth Olympic Games for athletes aged 14 to 18, the five Continental games (Pan American, African, Asian, European, and Pacific), and the World Games for sports that were not contested in the Olympic Games. The IOC also approved the Deaflympics and the Special Olympics. The IOC, needed to adapt to a variety of economic, political, and technological advancements. The abuse of amateur rules by the Eastern Bloc nations prompted the IOC to shift away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin, to the acceptance of professional athletes participating at the Games.

The existence of mass media has created a huge corporation, sponsorship and general coverage of the Games. World wars led to the crossing out of the 1916, 1940, and 1944 Olympics; large-scale boycotts during the Cold War limited participation in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics The 2020 Olympics were postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organising committees for each specific Olympic Games. As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Games, and organises and funds the Games according to the Olympic Charter. The IOC also determines the Olympic programme, consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games. There are several Olympic rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. Over 14,000 athletes competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2022 Winter Olympics combined, in 40 different sports and 448 events.The first-, second-, and third-place finishers in each event receive Olympic medals: gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.

The Games have widing to the extent that almost every nation is now represented; colonies and overseas territories are often allowed to field their own teams. This growth has created numerous challenges , including boycotts, doping, bribery, and terrorism. Every two years, the Olympics and its media exposure provide athletes with the chance to attain national and international fame. The Games also provide an opportunity for the host city and country to introduce themselves to the world.