Who were the "greats" of the Olympic Games? How and where did the Olympics start? Which years were the highspots of these internationally famous athletic events? Who was the one man in whose mind these fabulous Games first took shape — and whose dream finally came true?

John Walsh takes the young reader behind the scenes of the Olympic Games both yesterday and today. Since ancient Greek times, the Games have held a watching world under their spell. Today their spell is not less gripping. Described here are the competitive immortals of our modern age and their astonishing achievements — Paavo Nurmi, Hans Kolemainen, Alvin Kraenzlein, Bob Mathia, Jesse Owes, Jim Thorpe, Babe Didrikson, and many others.

Among the discussions covered are: How the Games are Run . . . Great Competitors . . . Women in the Olympics . . . The Winter Olympics . . . Highlights of Great Events. Valuable tables in the rear of the book list Olympic Records in Track & Field, as well as Olympic Track & Field Champions from 1896 to 1960 (Rome Olympics).

From the back of the book