The Olympic Games occur every four years, known as an Olympiad, in accordance with the tradition established by the ancient Greeks. The original Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece, were organized and celebrated every four years starting from 776 BC until Emperor Theodosius I banned them in 393 AD. This four-year interval was inspired by the ancient Greek belief in the sacredness of the number four, symbolizing balance and harmony. The cycle of four years was also associated with the cycles of seasons and agriculture in the Mediterranean region.

When Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games in the late 19th century, he maintained the four-year cycle as a nod to the ancient tradition. This quadrennial rhythm provides athletes with a consistent goal to train towards and allows host cities adequate time to plan and build necessary infrastructure. Additionally, the four-year gap gives organizers time to promote and fundraise for the event, ensuring its success on a global scale.

The modern Olympic Games consist of the Summer and Winter Olympics, which alternate every two years but still adhere to the four-year Olympiad schedule. This means that each type of Olympics takes place every four years, but there is an Olympics event (either Winter or Summer) every two years.

The Olympics come every four years as a result of the decision made by International Olympic Committee (IOC) to organize the Games on a regular schedule that would allow for the preparation of the host cities and the participation of athletes from around the world.

The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and historian, who was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games in Greece. Coubertin proposed that the Games be held every four years, patterned after the ancient festival, which also took place every four years.

The quadrennial cycle was initially suggested to provide enough time for participants to prepare and travel to the Games, which were not held in the same location every year. It also allowed for the construction of new venues and infrastructure, as needed, since the Games are held in different host cities each time.

The IOC has generally adhered to this four-year cycle, with some exceptions. For example, the Games were not held in 1916, 1940, or 1944 due to World War I and World War II. However, in 1992, the Summer Games were held in Barcelona, Spain, just two years after the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea, due to a scheduling change that alternated the Summer and Winter Games every two years. This change was later reversed, and the Winter Games have also returned to the four-year cycle, starting in 1994.

The quadrennial cycle is now a fundamental part of the Olympic tradition, creating anticipation and excitement as the world’s best athletes gather to compete in the most prestigious sporting event.