Transcript Document
Citius, Altius, Fortius ( faster, higher, stronger ) GAMES Ancient Olympic Games The ancient Olympic Games were celebrated in the summer every four years in the sanctuary of the god Zeus at Olympia. The history of the games dates from 776 B.C. The ancient Olympic Games reached the height of their popularity in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. Ruins at Olympia Stadium at Olympia Discobolus Zeus In Greek mythology Zeus was ruler of both the Olympian gods and the human race. Ancient Greeks held the Olympian Games every four years to celebrate and honor Zeus, the protector and ruler of mortals and the Olympian family of gods. The Greek sculptor Phidias created the Statue of Zeus in about 435 B.C. The statue stood in Olympia and was perhaps the most famous sculpture in ancient Greece. Modern Olympic Games Olympic Games (modern), international sports competition, held every four years at a different site, in which athletes from different nations compete against each other in a variety of sports. The modern Olympic Games began in Athens, Greece, in 1896. The program for the 1896 Games, including only summer events (the Winter Olympics were not established until 1924), included about 300 athletes from fewer than 15 countries competing in 43 events in nine different sports. Baron Pierre de Coubertin International Olympic Committee The IOC was created in 1894 in Paris, France, as an independent committee selecting its own members. The IOC’s first president, Demetrius Vikelas of Greece (served 1894-1896), was succeeded by Coubertin himself (1896-1925). Juan Antonio Samaranch Olympic Ceremonies Lighting the Olympic Flame Olympics Opening Ceremony The torch is lit in Olympia, Greece, and is carried over several weeks or months from there to the host city. The last runner lights the Olympic Flame in the main Olympic stadium. The opening ceremony includes the parade of nations, in which the teams from each nation enter the main stadium as part of a procession. The Greek team always enters first. “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part....The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.” Pierre de Coubertin (1863 - 1937) SUMMER WINTER PARALYMPIC Winter Olympics The Winter Olympic Games were first held as a separate competition in 1924 at Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France. From that time until 1992, they took place the same year as the Summer Games. Opening ceremony of the 1994Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.