DANBURY, CONN. — The Olympics is the largest sporting event in the world – with cities scrambling to host the games and millions of spectators gathering to look on. While people may know the athletes and cheer on their favorite countries, what still remains a mystery is the exact history of the modern Olympics, which hail from ancient Greek origins.

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at 7 p.m., the Western Connecticut State University Committee on Cultures and Values will present “Greece’s Modern Olympics – 1859, 1870, 1875, 1888, 1896, 1906, 2004: A Challenge to the International Olympic Movement?” Presented by Macricostas Visiting Endowed Chair in Hellenic and Modern Greek Studies, Professor Nicholas Pappas, the lecture will clear up confusion about the ages old competition. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will be held in Warner Hall, Room 102 North, on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

The lecture and fellowship are sponsored by the foundation of Brookfield industrialist and philanthropist Constantine “Deno” Macricostas and his wife Marie.

Some of the areas of clarification will include that the Ancient Olympics did not end abruptly in the fourth century and instead continued to flourish in the Middle Ages and that a number of athletic events called the Olympics were held in other countries, including England, Canada, Sweden and Greece prior to the first International Olympics in 1896.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.