Olympiad is a period of 4 years in Ancient Athens. Each period of 4 years starts with the Olympic Games. The first recognised Olympic Games were held in B.C. 776.

Following the rebirth of the Olympiad, the first Olympic Games in the modern era were held in 1896 in Athens under the supervision the International Olympic Committee. 295 athletes from 13 countries had participated in it. Since then. the Olympic Games continued to be held on a regular basis up to now.

The Olympic movement in UAE has started with the establishment of the National Olympic Committee in 1979 which became a member in the International Olympic Committee in 1980.

UAE has participated in the Olympic Games of Los Angeles in 1984 for the first time and in Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and it will participate in Sydney 2000 in Shooting (Skeet & Trap), Swimming and Athletics.