The history of the Olympic revival: the games of Lajos Vermes

The article is devoted to the history of the Olympic revival. Games with the word 'Olympic' in their name were held at different times and in various countries. Considerable information is known about some of the Games, while some Games continue to be held today. In domestic sports historiography, information about the Palić Olympic Games is virtually nonexistent. The purpose of the study is to examine the history and organization of the Palić Games, as well as the activities of their organizer, Lajos Vermesh. Research methods and organization. Methods of analysis and generalization of scientific-methodical literature and official Internet sites were used. The data obtained during the research are used in teaching the disciplines "History of Physical Culture" and "History of the Olympic Movement". Research results and conclusions. From 1880 to 1914, competitions were held at the Vermesh family estate on the shore of Lake Palic, which came to be known as the Palić Olympic Games. Their organizer and inspirer was Baron Lajos Vermesh, an athlete, inventor, and philanthropist. The large number of participants and spectators, the extensive competitive program, and the awarding of prizes made the Palić Games unique for their time and place. They contributed to the popularization of sports, stimulated interest in ancient Greek history, and laid the groundwork for the reception of P. de Coubertin's idea of reviving the Olympic Games at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. The games in Palić were organized 16 years before the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.