Fireworks, a Chinese invention, kick off the Opening Ceremony of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, August 8, 2008. The Olympic Games are the leading international sporting event 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 to be the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating. The Olympic Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps.