The Olympic Games A Quick View at History

The Ancient Olympic Games The Olympic Games were celebrated 320 times -- every four years -- in the sacred stadium at Olympia, Greece, beginning in 776 B.C. Though boxing and wrestling were added later, the first Olympic event was a sprint. The prize was an olive leaf and deification by poets, as well as recognition as a hero forever.

The Modern Olympics THE BEGINNING! Athens 1896 In 1892, French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin proposes a renaissance of ancient Greek competition. In 1896, his dream is realized as England, Greece, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United States open Games. James B. Connolly wins triple jump (the first medal in modern Olympic history); American flag is raised and Star Spangled Banner played, beginning tradition of honoring victor and his/her country.

Background Information The Olympic Motto In 1921, Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, borrowed a Latin phrase from his friend, Father Henri Didon, for the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius ("Swifter, Higher, Stronger").

Background Information The Olympic Oath Pierre de Coubertin wrote an oath for the athletes to recite at each Olympic Games. During the opening ceremonies, one athlete recites the oath on behalf of all the athletes. The Olympic oath was first taken during the 1920 Olympic Games by Belgian fencer Victor Boin. The Olympic Oath states, "In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."

Background Information The Olympic Creed Pierre de Coubertin got the idea for this phrase from a speech given by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot at a service for Olympic champions during the 1908 Olympic Games. The Olympic Creed reads: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

The Flame It always begins in Olympia, Greece, the original site of the event. The Olympic flame can only be lit one way, using the suns rays with a mirror. The flame is then placed in an urn and transported into the ancient stadium, where a priestess gives it to the first runner. The flame then begins on its journey by relay around the world.

The Flame All along its route, the flame signals the upcoming Olympic Games and sends a message of peace and friendship. The theme of the relay is "Journey of Harmony." Harmony is a strong Chinese characteristic that expresses the traditional Chinese philosophy of finding a balance between man and nature. It also supports Chinese people's wish of building a harmonious society of peace and prosperity.

The Rings According to the Olympic Charter, the five-ringed symbol "represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games." Eight people normally carry the flag. 5 representing the continents and 3 representing the Olympic ideals of Sport, Environment and Culture

Previous Locations Paris 1900 Games opened to women. St. Louis 1904 Staged as part of St. Louis World's Fair, Games are reduced to exhibition because many European athletes refuse to travel to American Midwest. London 1908 2,000 athletes compete

Previous Locations Stockholm 1912 First use of electronic timing devices and a public address system. Berlin 1916 Games not celebrated because of World War I. Antwerp 1920 Defeated in WWI, Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary and Turkey are not allowed to participate. Olympic flag unfurled for first time; its five coloured rings (black, blue, yellow, green and red) incorporate at least one colour found in flag of every nation on earth.

Previous Locations Paris 1924 44 nations send 3,000 competitors. Amsterdam 1928 Slow-motion film techniques used to judge close finishes; women's track and field competitions held for first time. Los Angeles 1932 16 world records and 33 Olympic records set -- 105,000 attend opening opening ceremonies, 65,000 go per day.

Previous Locations Berlin 1936 Before 100,000 spectators, Jesse Owens wins 4 gold medals, he is one of six African-American stars on team that captures 12 gold medals. Olympic torch run is established -- more than 3,000 runners carry the flame between Olympia, Greece, and Berlin. Tokyo 1940 Games not celebrated because of World War II. London 1944

Previous Locations London 1948 Helsinki 1952 Soviet Union rejoins Games after 40-year absence. Melbourne 1956 Rome 1960 83 nations, 5,000 athletes Tokyo 1964 Japan invests $3 billion in preparation. Opening ceremonies broadcast via satellite to U. S. for first time

Previous Locations Mexico City 1968 Munich 1972 Worldwide TV audience:1 billion. Arab terrorists assassinate 9 athletes from Israeli team. Montreal 1976 Moscow 1980 U.S. leads 50-nation boycott to protest Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Los Angeles 1984 Despite Soviet boycott, record number of athletes and nations, 6 million spectators, and largest TV audience in history.

Previous Locations Seoul 1988 9,600 athletes Barcelona 1992 More than 15,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 165 countries, including South Africa's first integrated team. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia celebrate independence by competing for first time. Atlanta 1996 Sydney 2000 Athens 2004 Beijing 2008

London 2012