What are your honest reactions to the forthcoming 2012 Games?

Thinking about the Games What we already know about the Games… Our questions... Our observations... We wish... © Simon Smith 2011

Important dates Timetable Olympics: 27 July - 12 August 2012 Paralympics: 29 August - 9 September 2012 Olympics Torch 70-day relay (through 74 locations) begins Saturday 19 May 2012

2012 issues A world united? May joy and good fellowship reign, and in this manner, may the Olympic Torch pursue its way through ages, increasing friendly understanding among nations, for the good of a humanity always more enthusiastic, more courageous and more pure. Pierre de Coubertin But also... National rivalry? Security - fears of crime, disorder, terrorism and war? Cheating and bribery? Corporate sponsorship? Cost to the host cities?

The original Greek Games An Olympic ideal? Celebrating human potential Religious Unifying influence But also... No women or slaves ‘Truce’ not always honoured in wartime Nationalism a strong element Cheating Sometimes ‘brutal’

Cross-curricular opportunities... PE and Games Health education Geography History Numeracy Literacy Music Art ICT Design technology But... RE?

Why... RE? Sport and athletics have values (‘What’s important?’) RE is about the study of values, both positive and negative And if pupils don’t discuss and explore the meaning of these values with you, then where else will they do it?

RE is about exploring values Do you have to win, to be a success? Why play if you can’t win? How can sport bring people together to compete in peace? When does healthy competition go sour? What’s the point of having national flags and teams? What is a positive mental attitude, and where can I find it? Is life just a race, with winners and losers? Why? What relation does sport have to real life? How fit do we need to be? What helps people to work as part of a team? Should winning a trophy be the highlight of someone’s life? What will it cost if I want to succeed – and will it be worth the effort? Why shouldn’t I cheat? Pick an interesting question... and discuss.

The Greek Games and the Bible New Testament setting heavily influenced by Mediterranean Greek culture Written in Ancient Greek Many stories and letters written for a Greek audience and their concerns Olympic sporting imagery and language

Exploring Bible passages with the Games (1) Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Matthew 20:16

Exploring Bible passages with the Games (2) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and being certain of sure of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 The parable of the great feast... Luke 14:16-24

Exploring Olympic values Respect Excellence Friendship Courage Determination Inspiration Equality Can you think of any faith stories or practices that explore or reinforce these values? © Simon Smith 2011

Courage To admit mistakes? To accept help? Concept cracking the Games for RE Unpack... the key concept Select... your area of focus Experience... what it means for different people Relate and reflect... to my own life So... courage is all about...? To handle failure?

Keeping an RE focus when the school goes Games mad... Shared display board of questions and responses Faith stories about the Games Relate sporting imagery ‘out there’ positively to pupils’ own lives (school reports and targets?) Challenge modern mythologies of self-fulfilment (what about grace?) Maintain some perspective – highlight real-life issues, especially with the Paralympics

Ideas for assemblies Ancient Greek athletes (promises and pledges to compete fairly) Modern athletes – their own stories (Beware of ‘modern faith celebrities’) Unpack Bible sporting imagery © Simon Smith 2011

Who Comes First? Use the book and extra support materials online Visit our website: Book our special creative arts RE day