From the start of the modern Olympics, male athletes of every race, religion, and national

ity have been allowed to participate. No women competed in 1896. A few female golfers and tennis players were allowed to take part in the 1900 Games. Female gymnasts and track-and-field athletes first competed at the 1928 Games. Womens Olympic sports have grown hugely since then. Today women make up about half of the total number of competitors. This has not been the only change. Figure skating was part of the Summer Games of 1908 and 1920, and ice hockey was played in 1920. They then became part of the Winter Olympics, which was first held in 1924 in France. Although founded to help world peace, the modern Olympic Games sometimes become a stage for political arguments. The most controversial Olympics were the Berlin Games of 1936. Under the rule of the Nazis, German Jewish athletes were banned from the German team. The Olympic Games were interrupted twice during the First and Second World Wars. The event was not held in 1916, 1940 and 1944.