The Olympic Movement Humble beginnings to global dominance

Learning Goals Learn why and how the Modern Olympics began Understand the Olympic symbols we’ve all seen before and others we haven’t Learn the Olympic values and why they are central to the Games and to humanity as a whole

The Olympic Charter “Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balance whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.”

The Olympic Movement – All of Us

Baron Pierre de Coubertin Dreamed of bringing back the Olympics in modern times Formed the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and held the first modern games in 1896 Games were held in Athens, Greece Mant events were held in the ancient stadium known as the Panathenaic Stadium

Baron de Coubertin “In these Olympiads, the important thing is not winning but taking part…What counts in life is not the victory but the struggle; the essential thing is not to conquer but to fight well.” Baron de Coubertin also believed that only amateurs should be allowed to complete in the Olympics

Changes from Ancient to Modern The Games take place in a different city and country every year The Games are held over 16 days Modern games are open to all global inhabitants Women were allowed to participate in 1900 (in golf and tennis only) Only summer sports were contested

Winter Games Began in 1924 in Chamonix, France 258 athletes from 16 countries competed Was originally called an International Winter Sports Week, but was retroactively named the first Winter Olympic Games

The Olympic Symbols There are many traditions associated with the Games – they give the Games an identity The Rings The Motto The Flame The Olympic Values

The rings The five rings represent the five continents Interlaced to show the universality of Olympism and the meeting of the athletes The flag with the rings was unveiled at the 1920 Games, just after World War 1 Nationalism was strong and tension between certain countries was high The rings were intended to encourage world unity

The Motto A motto is a phrase which sums up a life philosophy or a code of conduct The Olympic motto is three Latin words: Citius – Altius – Fortius or Faster – Higher – Stronger Encourage best during competition The Creed “The most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well.”

The flame Precise ritual around the Olympic flame 1. The lighting – flame is lit from the sun’s rays in Olympia (Greece) months before the Games begin 2. A new torch is created for each new Games. Each runner carries their own torch and only the flame is passed along

The flame continued… 3. The relay route – from Olympia to the host city, the passage of the flame announces the upcoming Olympic Games to those along it’s route  The first torch relay took place at the 1936 Games in Berlin (Germany)

The Olympic Values The three core values are: –Excellence –Friendship –Respect

Excellence To give one’s best, on the field of play or in life. It is not only about winning, but about participating, making progress against personal goals, striving to be and to do our best in our daily lives.

Friendship To build a peaceful and better world thanks to sport, through solidarity, team spirit, joy and optimism. To consider sport as a tool for mutual understanding among individuals and people from all over the world, despite the differences

Respect To respect oneself, one’s body, to respect others, as well as rules and regulation, to respect the environment. In relation to sport, respect stands for fair play and for the fight against doping or any other unethical behaviour.

The Missions The IOC has several “missions” that they, through their Charter, must uphold: –Choice of the Host City –Organization of the Olympic Games –Promotion of Women in Sport –Protection of Athletes –Human Development Assistance –Promotion of Sustainable Development –The Olympic Truce –Promotion of Culture and Olympic Education