1. The Olympic games

2. THE OLYMPIC GAMES In ancient Greece, physical activity was integral part of a person’s education. Harmony, strength and the beauty of the body were important and appreciated as well as intelligence, loyalty and great-heartedness. As a consequence, gymnastics with other sports guaranteed the well being of a man taken as soul and body as a whole.

3. Games in Olympia

4. Among the different Panhellenic games the Olympic ones were the most important, so called because they took place in Olympia in honour of Zeus. They began in 776 B.C.in Olympia and were celebrated until 393A.D. when Theodosius I suppressed them. Olympia: archaeological area.

5. Panhellenic games The Games, used to help spread Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean, were held every four years in summer and, during these days “The Sacred Truce” began,(It was a period in which all conflicts were suspended). In this way the athletes, coming from the other cities and the colonies could travel in safety and meet in Olympia to compete. Only free men,who spoke Greek, could vie with the others. They were amateurs and most of them were aristocrats. There was also a discrimination against women. They took part in minor Olympiads, they began after the end of male games and were in honour of the goddess Era. A great statue of Zeus was erected in Olympia to preside over the Games.

6. The statue of Zeus Temple of Zeus.

7. Olympic Stadium-1896 The first Olympiad took place in 776 A.C. This date was very important because it indicates the “year Zero” for The Greeks. The first Olympics in Greece.

8. The Olympic games lasted 6 days during which competitions (horse racing, pentathlon, wrestling, boxing and pancratium) and religious rites alternated with each other. They were divided as follows: The first day: opening ceremony The second one : the games began with the race. There were 40.000 spectators along a sand track where the three sports took place: - one lap of the circuit for 200 metres. - two laps of circuit for 400 metres. - 12 laps of circuit for 5000 metres. - Four winners qualify for the finals. The third one: Boxing Match, wrestling and pancratium. The fourth one: the stadium is empty and all spectators are at the racecourse to watch horse races. The fifth one: Pentathlon competition The sixth one: Closing ceremony at Zeus’s temple. The winners receive a crown by hellanodices. At sunset organizers lay out a banquet and people celebrate until night.

9. In 394 Emperor Teodosio II suppressed the Olympic Greek games to remove all traces of pagan culture. At the end of ninth century Baron De Goubertin brought them back to life. Since then the Olympic Games take place in different cities every 4 years. Athletes from every country of the world join in these games. In Greece the Olympic games were a moment of cohesion among Greek and they represented the symbol of their National identity. Today they are the symbol of peaceful relationships among different countries all over the world.

10. Greek vase representing a race. DIAULOS = Double race. It consists of running the stadium twice, outward and backward. The stadium was a length measure equal to about 192 metres. The athlete finished the race after running twice the track, for a total of about 385 metres.

12. DOLICOS= Endurance race. 5000 metres run on mainly level field in which tactics is important. Students who are carrying out some commands. Dash: 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres. Place yourselves on the starting point: “ In your place”

13. Announcement: “Ready” Starting: “ GO……..”

14. Students who are running...

15. Greek athletes raced to achieve honours and fame whose symbol was a myrtle wreath on the winner’s head. They didn’t receive money but they showed their value. What about today……………………………………?