Olympic History and Symbols

What are the Olympics?

• The Olympics is an international event where athletes from around the world compete in their chosen sports.
• The event provides an opportunity to identify the most exceptional athletes from a global pool of competitors.

Olympic Symbols

• The Olympic Flag:
  • The Olympic rings were first produced in 1913, designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
  • The five colors (along with the white backdrop) represent the colors found on the flags of all participating nations.
  • The overlaps symbolize international cooperation and unity among athletes from around the world.
  • The five-colored rings represent the five inhabited continents of the world: Africa, North & South America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

The Olympic Torch

• The Olympic flame symbolizes the light of spirit, knowledge, and life.
• The tradition of the Olympic torch began in 1936.
• The torch is lit at the site of the ancient games in Olympia, Greece, and then taken to the host country.
• The torch travels around the country or continent in a relay race, with different people holding it.

Olive Leaf Crown

• In Ancient Greece, the Olympic champion received an olive wreath as a crown.
• The wreath was taken from a branch of an olive tree and formed into a circle or horseshoe shape.

History of the Olympics

• The modern Olympics are directly connected to an event in Greece almost 3,000 years ago, in 776 B.C.
• The Olympics originally served as an important religious festival to honor Zeus, the king of the gods.
• A sacred truce was declared one month before the commencement of the games, allowing individuals to travel safely.
• Only men, boys, and unmarried girls were permitted to attend the ancient Olympics.
• Married women were not allowed to attend, but had a festival at Olympia, known as the Heraia, which was held every four years.
• The Roman Emperor Theodosius I prohibited the original ancient Olympics in 393 A.D.
• The first modern Olympics were started in Athens, Greece, 1500 years later, with 13 nations competing in several sports.
• Initially, only men were eligible to participate, with women being barred from joining until after 1900.