1. The Olympics The motto is “Swifter, Higher, Stronger”

2. The Olympics THEN The Ancient Olympics: The ancient Greeks dedicated the Olympic Games to Zeus. The Greeks held the first Olympic games in the year 776 BC. The first Olympic games only had one event. It was a sprint. A wreath of olive branches was placed on the winner's head. The olive tree is a sacred tree of Athens, Greece. Women and girls were not allowed to compete in the games and they were not allowed to watch them. The games only happen every 4 years.

3. The Modern Olympic Games: After a long time without the Olympics, a man from France helped bring back the Olympic Games. An all-male Olympic games were held in 1896. It was in Athens, Greece. The first winter Olympics were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. Now we have 2 different Olympic Games. We have the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The Olympics NOW

4. The Olympic Flag The flag of the Olympic Games has five interlocking rings. The colors are blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white background. The rings represent the five parts of the world that were joined together in the Olympic movement: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. Baron de Coubertin designed the flag of the Olympics in 1913-1914.

5. The Olympic Torch The tradition of the Olympic flame began during the ancient Olympic Games. A flame was lit for each Olympics. It burns throughout the games. There was no torch relay in the ancient Olympics. The first torch relay took place at the 1936 games in Berlin, Germany. A new Olympic torch is designed for each of the games.

6. The Olympic Torch A new Olympic torch is designed for each of the games. This flame begins its Olympic Torch Relay by touring Greece. The flame is normally taken to the country where the games will be held. The flame is then carried around the country where the games are to be held. They use a series of torches carried by people. The last runner uses a torch to light the large Olympic torch which burns throughout the games. The flame is extinguished during the closing ceremony.

7. Summer Olympic Events archery, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, canoeing, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, soccer, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, kayaking, marathon, pentathlon, ping pong, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, taekwando, tennis, track and field-many running, jumping, and throwing events, triathlon, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling.

8. Olympic Medals At the Ancient Olympics, a wreath of olive branches was placed on the winner's head. At the modern Olympics, each first-place winner receives a gold medal. Each second-place winner receives a silver medal. Each third-place winner receives a bronze medal. Different medals are designed for each new Olympics.

9. The 2012 Olympics are being held in London, England. The opening ceremonies are on July 27 th.

10. American Olympians to Watch Lauren Perdue from Greenville, NC. She is swimming in the 800m relay. Michael Phelps. He is a swimmer. He has already won a lot of medals in other Olympics.

11. American Olympians to Watch Beach volleyball legends- Misty May- Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings US Woman’s Soccer Team

12. American Olympians to Watch Gymnastics-Jordyn Wieber and Gabby Douglas Allyson Felix-sprinter

13. American Olympians to Watch Wrestling- Jordan Burroughs Let’s GO USA!!!!!!!!!