The Summer Olympics began in 1896 in Athens, Greece with 241 men competing in 9 sports. Since then, the number of sports has increased significantly. Over 3.6 billion people watched the 2016 Rio Olympics via screens. While the Olympics provide entertainment, they also serve a greater purpose of unifying nations. For example, the 2012 London Olympics helped boost national pride in the UK. The Olympics aim to not just showcase athleticism but also promote broader social objectives.