The Olympic Games, Olympic Games are the largest international complex sports competitions of our time, which are held every four years. A tradition that existed in ancient Greece, in late XIX century was revived by a French public figure Pierre de Coubertin. The Olympic Games, also known as the Summer Olympics, have been held every four years since 1896, with the exception of years following the World Wars. In 1924, the Winter Olympic Games were established and were originally held in the same year as the Summer Olympics. However, since 1994, the timing of winter Olympic Games shifted by two years relative to the time of the summer games.
Olympic Games Ancient Greece were a religious and sports festival held in Olympia. Information about the origin of the games has been lost, but several legends describing this event have survived. The first documented celebration dates back to 776 BC. e., although it is known that games were held earlier. During the games, a sacred truce was declared; during this time it was forbidden to wage war, although this was repeatedly violated.
The Olympic Games significantly lost their importance with the arrival of the Romans. After Christianity became the official religion, games began to be seen as a manifestation of paganism and in 394 AD. e. they were banned by the emperor Theodosius I.
Even after the ban on ancient competitions, the Olympic idea did not disappear completely. For example, in England during the 17th century “Olympic” competitions and competitions were repeatedly held. Later, similar competitions were organized in France and Greece. However, these were small events that were, at best, regional in nature. The first true predecessors to the modern Olympic Games are the Olympias, which were held regularly between 1859 and 1888. The idea of reviving the Olympic Games in Greece belonged to the poet Panagiotis Soutsos, brought it to life by a public figure Evangelis Zappas.
In 1766, as a result archaeological excavations in Olympia, sports and temple structures were discovered. In 1875, archaeological research and excavations continued under German leadership. At that time, romantic-idealistic ideas about antiquity were in vogue in Europe. The desire to revive Olympic thinking and culture spread quite quickly throughout Europe. French Baron Pierre de Coubertin (French: Pierre de Coubertin) said then: “Germany has excavated what remains of ancient Olympia. Why can't France restore its old greatness?
Baron Pierre de Coubertin
According to Coubertin, it was the weak physical condition of the French soldiers that became one of the reasons for the defeat of the French in Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871. He strives to change the situation through improvement physical culture French. At the same time, he wanted to overcome national egoism and contribute to the struggle for peace and international understanding. The “youth of the world” were supposed to measure their strength in sports competitions, and not on the battlefields. The revival of the Olympic Games seemed in his eyes the best solution to achieve both goals.
At a congress held from June 16-23, 1894 at the Sorbonne (University of Paris), he presented his thoughts and ideas to an international audience. On the last day of the congress (June 23), it was decided that the first Olympic Games of our time should be held in 1896 in Athens, in the ancestral country of the Games - Greece. To organize the Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded. The first president of the Committee was a Greek Demetrius Vikelas, who was president until the end of the First Olympic Games in 1896. Baron became General Secretary Pierre de Coubertin.
The first Games of our time were truly a great success. Despite the fact that only 241 athletes (14 countries) took part in the Games, the Games became the largest sporting event ever held since Ancient Greece. Greek officials were so pleased that they put forward a proposal to hold the Olympic Games “forever” in their homeland, Greece. But the IOC introduced rotation between different states so that every 4 years the Games change their location.
After the first success, the Olympic movement experienced the first crisis in its history. The 1900 Games in Paris (France) and the 1904 Games in St. Louis (Missouri, USA) were combined with the World Exhibitions. Sports competitions dragged on for months and attracted almost no interest from spectators. Almost only American athletes participated in the Games in St. Louis, since getting from Europe across the ocean in those years was very difficult for technical reasons.
At the 1906 Olympic Games in Athens (Greece), sports competitions and results again came first. Although the IOC initially recognized and supported the holding of these "interim Games" (just two years after the previous ones), these Games are now not recognized as Olympic Games. Some sports historians consider the 1906 Games to be the salvation of the Olympic idea, as they prevented the games from becoming “meaningless and unnecessary.”
The principles, rules and regulations of the Olympic Games are determined by the Olympic Charter, the foundations of which were approved by the International Sports Congress in Paris in 1894, which, at the suggestion of the French educator and public figure Pierre de Coubertin, decided to organize the Games on the model of the ancient ones and to create the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
According to the charter of the Games, the Olympics “... unite amateur athletes from all countries in fair and equal competitions. There shall be no discrimination against countries or individuals on racial, religious or political grounds...” The games are held in the first year of the Olympiad (4-year period between games). The Olympiads have been counted since 1896, when the first Olympic Games took place (I Olympiad - 1896-99). The Olympiad also receives its number in cases where the games are not held (for example, VI - in 1916-19, XII - 1940-43, XIII - 1944-47). The symbol of the Olympic Games is five fastened rings, symbolizing the unification of the five parts of the world in the Olympic movement, the so-called. Olympic rings. The color of the rings in the top row is blue for Europe, black for Africa, red for America, in bottom row- yellow for Asia, green for Australia. In addition to Olympic sports, the organizing committee has the right to choose to include in the program exhibition competitions in 1-2 sports that are not recognized by the IOC. In the same year as the Olympics, the Winter Olympic Games have been held since 1924, which have their own numbering. Since 1994, the dates of the Winter Olympic Games have been shifted by 2 years relative to the summer ones. The location of the Olympics is chosen by the IOC; the right to organize them is granted to the city, not the country. Duration no more than 15 days (winter games - no more than 10).
The Olympic movement has its own emblem and flag, approved by the IOC at the suggestion of Coubertin in 1913. The emblem is the Olympic rings. The motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius (faster, higher, stronger). The flag is a white cloth with the Olympic rings, and has been flown at all Games since 1920.
* lighting of the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony (the flame is lit from sun rays in Olympia and is delivered by a torch relay of athletes to the host city of the Games);
* pronounced by one of outstanding athletes the country in which the Olympics take place, the Olympic oath on behalf of all participants in the games;
* taking an oath of impartial judging on behalf of the judges;
* presentation of medals to winners and prize-winners of competitions;
* raising national flag and the playing of the national anthem in honor of the winners.
Since 1932, the host city has been building " olympic village» - a complex of residential premises for game participants. According to the charter, the Games are a competition between individual athletes and not between national teams. However, since 1908 the so-called unofficial team standings - determining the place occupied by teams based on the number of medals received and points scored in competitions (points are awarded for the first 6 places according to the system: 1st place - 7 points, 2nd - 5, 3rd - 4, 4 -e - 3, 5th - 2, 6th - 1). The title of Olympic champion is the most honorable and coveted title in the career of an athlete in those sports in which Olympic tournaments are held. The exception is football, since the title of world champion in this sport is much more prestigious.
History of the Olympic Games
Once every four years, the Olympic Games are held - this is the name of sports competitions in which the best athletes from different countries peace. Each of them dreams of becoming an Olympic champion and receiving a medal as a reward - gold, silver or bronze. Almost 11 thousand athletes from more than 200 countries came to the 2016 Olympic competitions in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.
Although in these sports games It's mostly adults who participate, but some sports, as well as the history of the Olympic Games, can also be very exciting for children. And, probably, both children and adults would be interested to know when the Olympic Games appeared, how they got their name, and also what types of sports exercises were in the very first competitions. In addition, we will find out how the modern Olympic Games are held and what their emblem means - five multi-colored rings.
The birthplace of the Olympic Games is Ancient Greece. The earliest historical records of the ancient Olympic Games were found on Greek marble columns, where the date 776 BC was engraved. However, it is known that sports competitions in Greece took place much earlier than this date. Therefore, the history of the Olympics goes back about 2800 years, which, you see, is quite a long time.
Do you know who, according to history, became one of the first Olympic champions? - This was ordinary cook Koribos from the city of Elis, whose name is still engraved on one of those marble columns.
The history of the Olympic Games goes back to ancient city— Olympia, where the name of this sports festival came from. This settlement is located in a very beautiful place- near Mount Kronos and on the banks of the Alpheus River, and it is here that from ancient times to the present day the ceremony of lighting the torch with the Olympic flame takes place, which is then passed along the relay to the city of the Olympic Games.
You can try to find this place on a world map or in an atlas and at the same time test yourself - can I find Greece first and then Olympia?
How were the Olympic Games held in ancient times?
At first, only local residents took part in sports competitions, but then everyone liked it so much that people from all over Greece and its subordinate cities began to come here, even from the Black Sea itself. People got there as best they could - some rode on horseback, some had a cart, but most people walked to the holiday. The stadiums were always crowded with spectators - everyone really wanted to see sports competitions with their own eyes.
It is also interesting that in those days when the Olympic competitions were going to be held in Ancient Greece, a truce was declared in all cities and all wars stopped for about a month. For ordinary people it was a calm, peaceful time when you could take a break from everyday affairs and have fun.
The athletes trained for 10 months at home, and then another month in Olympia, where experienced trainers helped them prepare as best as possible for the competition. At the beginning of sports games, everyone took an oath, the participants - that they would compete fairly, and the judges - that they would judge fairly. Then the competition itself began, which lasted 5 days. The start of the Olympic Games was announced with a silver trumpet, which was blown several times, inviting everyone to gather in the stadium.
What sports were at the Olympic Games in ancient times?
These were:
The best athletes were given an award - a laurel wreath or an olive branch, the champions solemnly returned to hometown and until the end of their lives they were considered respected people. Banquets were held in their honor, and sculptors made marble statues for them.
Unfortunately, in 394 AD, the holding of the Olympic Games was banned by the Roman emperor, who really did not like such competitions.
Modern Olympic Games
The first Olympic Games of modern times took place in 1896, in the ancestral country of these games - Greece. You can even calculate how long the break was - from 394 to 1896 (it turns out 1502 years). And now, after so many years in our time, the birth of the Olympic Games became possible thanks to one famous French baron, his name was Pierre de Coubertin.
Pierre de Coubertin- founder of the modern Olympic Games.
This man really wanted to more people engaged in sports and proposed resuming the Olympic Games. Since then, sports games have been held every four years, preserving the traditions of ancient times as much as possible. But now the Olympic Games have begun to be divided into winter and summer, which alternate with each other.
Traditions and symbolism of the Olympic Games
Olympic rings
Probably each of us has seen the emblem of the Olympics - intertwined colored rings. They were chosen for a reason - each of the five rings means one of the continents:
And the fact that the rings are intertwined with each other means the unity and friendship of people on all these continents, despite different colour skin.
Olympic flag
The official flag of the Olympic Games was a white flag with the Olympic emblem. White color is a symbol of peace during Olympic competitions, just as it was in ancient Greek times. At each Olympics, the flag is used at the opening and closing of the sports games, and then handed over to the city where the next Olympics will take place in four years.
Olympic flame
Even in ancient times, the tradition of lighting a fire during the Olympic Games arose, and it has survived to this day. The ceremony of lighting the Olympic flame is very interesting to watch; it is reminiscent of an ancient Greek theatrical performance.
It all starts in Olympia a few months before the start of the competition. For example, the flame for the Brazilian Olympic Games was lit in Greece back in April of this year.
In the Greek Olympia, eleven girls gather, dressed in long white dresses, as they used to be in Ancient Greece, then one of them takes a mirror and, with the help of the sun's rays, lights a specially prepared torch. This is the fire that will burn throughout the entire period of Olympic competition.
After the torch lights up, it is handed over to one of the best athletes, who will then carry it first through the cities of Greece, and then deliver it to the country where the Olympic Games will be held. Then the torch relay passes through the cities of the country and finally arrives at the place where the sporting competitions will be held.
A large bowl is installed at the stadium and a fire is lit in it with the torch that arrived from distant Greece. The fire in the bowl will burn until all sports competitions are over, then it will go out, and this symbolizes the end of the Olympic Games.
Opening and closing ceremony of the Olympics
It is always a bright and colorful sight. Each country hosting the Olympic Games tries to surpass the previous one in this component, sparing neither effort nor money on the presentation. For staging they are used latest achievements science and technology, innovative technologies and development. In addition, it involves a large number of people - volunteers. The most are invited famous people countries: artists, composers, athletes, etc.
Awards ceremony for winners and runners-up
When the first Olympic Games took place, the winners received a laurel wreath as a reward. However, modern champions are no longer awarded laurel wreaths, but medals: first place is a gold medal, second place is a silver medal, and third place is a bronze medal.
It is very interesting to watch the competitions, but it is even more interesting to see how the champions are awarded. The winners stand on a special pedestal with three steps, according to occupied places, they are awarded medals and raised the flags of the countries from which these athletes came.
That’s the whole history of the Olympic Games, for children, I think, the above information will be interesting and useful
The history of the Olympic Games goes back more than 2 thousand years. They originated in Ancient Greece. At first, the games were part of festivals in honor of the god Zeus. The first Olympics took place in ancient Greece. Once every four years, athletes gathered in the city of Olympia in the Peloponnese, a peninsula in the south of the country. Only running competitions were held over a distance of one stadium (from the Greek stages = 192 m). Gradually the number of sports increased, and the games became an important event for everyone. Greek world. It was a religious and sports holiday, during which obligatory “sacred peace” was declared and any military actions were prohibited.
The period of truce lasted a month and was called ekeheiriya. It is believed that the first Olympics took place in 776 BC. e. But in 393 AD. e. Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned the Olympic Games. By that time, Greece lived under the rule of Rome, and the Romans, having converted to Christianity, believed that the Olympic Games, with their worship of pagan gods and the cult of beauty, were incompatible with the Christian faith.
The Olympic Games were remembered at the end of the 19th century, after excavations began in ancient Olympia and the ruins of sports and temple buildings were discovered. In 1894, at the International Sports Congress in Paris, the French public figure Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) proposed organizing the Olympic Games on the model of the ancient ones. He also came up with the Olympians’ motto: “The main thing is not victory, but participation.” De Coubertin wanted only male athletes to compete in these competitions, as in Ancient Greece, but already in the second Games women also participated. The emblem of the Games was five multi-colored rings; We chose the colors that are most often found on the flags of various countries around the world.
The first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896 in Athens. In the 20th century The number of countries and athletes participating in these competitions grew steadily, and the number of Olympic sports also increased. Today it is difficult to find a country that does not send at least one or two athletes to the Games. Since 1924, in addition to the Olympic Games, which take place in the summer, winter Games began to be organized so that skiers, skaters and other athletes who engage in winter sports can compete. And since 1994, the Winter Olympic Games are held not in the same year as the Summer Olympics, but two years later.
Sometimes the Olympic Games are called the Olympics, which is incorrect: the Olympics is a four-year period between successive Olympic Games. When, for example, they say that the 2008 Games are the 29th Olympics, they mean that from 1896 to 2008, 29 periods of four years each passed. But there were only 26 Games: in 1916, 1940 and 1944. There were no Olympic Games - world wars interfered.
The Greek city of Olympia today attracts crowds of tourists who want to look at the ruins excavated by archaeologists ancient city with the remains of the temples of Zeus, Hera and visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Short story Olympic Games
The world's largest competition originated in Ancient Greece in the city of Olympia. The very first Olympic Games were held in the second half of the 8th century BC, as evidenced by the inscription on the slab found by archaeologists. The competition was dedicated to the cult of the thunder god Zeus and was held every four years. During the games, all wars and turmoil ceased. One of the most difficult, but at the same time spectacular types of wrestling was the pentathlon - a combination of five sports at once (running, javelin throwing, long jump, all-around and discus throwing).
The significance of the Olympics faded with the arrival of the Romans, as it was considered a manifestation of paganism. Thus, in 394 AD Emperor Theodosius I banned them. Throughout its history, ancient games were held more than 290 times. The idea to revive such competitions on a global scale came to the mind of the French public figure Pierre de Coubertin at the end of the 19th century. His aspirations did not immediately captivate the whole world, but in June 1894 year, a special organization was created to promote the Olympic movement - the IOC Commission (International Olympic Committee), which included representatives of several European countries.
It was this committee that was involved in attracting athletes to participate in the new Olympic Games and choosing a venue for this large-scale event. As a sign of respect for tradition, the Greek philanthropist Demetrius Vikelas was elected the first president of the committee. The first games held in Athens in 1896 year, involved about 240 athletes from 14 countries. This Olympics became the largest sporting event of the century. Since then, they have tried to maintain the tradition of holding international games every four years. The exceptions were the years of the First and Second World Wars.
Starting from the second Olympics, women began to take part in the games. IN 1908 year, the tradition of a command procession under the national flag appeared, and with 1920 year, participants began to take the Olympic oath. Soon the Winter Olympic Games appeared. It is noteworthy that competitions in some types of winter sports have already been held previously. The first official Winter Games were held in the homeland of P. Coubertin in the city of Chamonix in 1924 year. After 4 years, the tradition of lighting the Olympic flame appeared, and after another 4 years, the first “Olympic village” was built in Los Angeles.
The Olympics brought important innovations 1956 of the year. For the first time, Soviet athletes participated in these winter competitions with a triumphant debut. And also, thanks to the development of television, games were broadcast throughout Europe for the first time. The history of the Olympic Games has not always been rosy. So, for example, during games 1960 The first athletes who used doping appeared, one of whom died. IN 1972 year, Palestinian activists attacked the Israeli team during the games in Munich. This event was later called “Black September”, as more than 10 people died.
Games were recognized as the longest in history 1900 years spent in Paris. Due to the fact that they coincided with the World Exhibition, they were held for several months. The largest participating team was Team Great Britain in 1908 year during the games in London. More than 700 athletes took part in it. And finally, the most “American” was summer olympics in St. Louis. Because of high cost travel, many European countries were unable to participate. Thus, 90% of the participants were American.
Modern society is spoiled by the huge variety of available entertainment and is therefore demanding. It easily gets carried away by new amusements and just as quickly loses interest in them in pursuit of new, still unusual toys. Therefore, those pleasures that managed to hold the attention of the windy public for a long time can be considered truly strong attractions. A striking example is sporting competitions of various types, from team games to paired martial arts. And the title of chief “guard” is rightfully borne by the Olympic Games. For several millennia, these multi-type competitions have attracted the attention of not only professional athletes, but also fans of various sports disciplines, as well as simply lovers of a colorful, memorable show.
Of course, the Olympic Games were not always as expensive and high-tech as they are today. But they have always been spectacular and fascinating, starting from their very appearance during Antiquity. Since then, the Olympic Games have been suspended several times, they have changed their format and set of competitions, and have been adapted for athletes with disabilities. And here's to today a regular two-year organizational system was established. How long? History will show this. But now the whole world looks forward to each new Olympic Games. Although few spectators, watching the intense rivalry of their sports idols, guess how and why the Olympic Games appeared.
The Birth of the Olympic Games
The cult of the body inherent in the ancient Greeks became the reason for the appearance of the first sports games on the territory of ancient city-states. But it was Olympia that gave the holiday its name, which has stuck for centuries. Beautiful and strong bodies were sung from theater stages, immortalized in marble and displayed in sports arenas. An ancient legend says that the Games were first mentioned by the Delphic Oracle around the 9th century. BC e., which saved Elis and Sparta from civil strife. And already in 776 BC. The first pan-Greek Olympic Games were held, founded by the godlike hero Hercules himself. It was a truly large-scale event: a celebration of physical culture, religious worship and simply affirmation of life.
Even the wars sacred to the Hellenes were suspended during the Olympic competitions. The seriousness of the event was arranged accordingly: the date of its holding was set by a special commission, which, through ambassadors-spondophoros, notified the inhabitants of all Greek city-states about its decision. After this, their best athletes went to Olympia to train and polish their skills for a month under the guidance of experienced mentors. Then, for five days in a row, the athletes competed in the following types of physical exercises: 
This set can be considered the first composition of Olympic sports from Antiquity. Their champions, winners of the competition, received truly divine honors and, until the next Games, enjoyed special respect from their compatriots and, according to rumors, from Zeus the Thunderer himself. At home, they were greeted with songs, sung in hymns and honored at banquets, making obligatory sacrifices on their behalf to the supreme gods. Their names became known to every Greek. But the competition was tough, the competition was serious, and the level of physical fitness of the competitors was very high, so few managed to retain the laurels of the winner the following year. Those same unique heroes, who three times turned out to be the best of the best, had a monument erected in Olympia and equated to demigods.
A distinctive feature of the ancient Olympic Games was the participation in them not only of athletes, but also of artists. The ancient Greeks did not categorize human achievements at all and enjoyed life in all its manifestations. Therefore, the Olympic Games were accompanied by performances by poets, actors and musicians. Moreover, some of them did not refuse to show themselves in sports - for example, Pythagoras was a champion in fist fighting. The artists sketched key events and images of athletes, spectators admired the combination of physical and spiritual beauty, and enjoyed an abundance of delicious food and drinks. Sounds like a modern day workout, doesn't it? But before modern level The organization of the original Olympic Games was still a long way off. This is confirmed by the unfortunate cessation of their history, albeit temporary.
Banning the Olympic Games
So, cheerfully and amicably, exactly 293 ancient Olympics were held over 1168 years. Until in 394 AD. The Roman Emperor Theodosius the First “Great” did not ban the Olympic Games by decree. According to the Romans, who brought and imposed Christianity on the Greek lands, shameless and noisy sports competitions were the embodiment of a pagan, and therefore unacceptable, way of life. You could even say that they were right in their own way. After all, religious ceremonies in honor of the gods of Olympus were integral part Games Each athlete considered it his duty to spend several hours at the sacrificial altar, offering prayers and making sacrifices to the divine patrons. Mass ceremonies accompanied the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, as well as the awarding of the winners and their triumphant return home.
The Greeks even adjusted the calendar to accommodate their favorite sports, cultural and entertainment event, creating the so-called “Olympic calendar.” According to him, the holiday was to be held in the “holy month”, beginning on the first full moon after summer solstice. The cycle was 1417 days, or Olympiad - that is, the ancient Greek “Olympic year”. Of course, the warlike Romans were not going to put up with this state of affairs and free-thinking in society. And although the Olympic Games still continued after Rome conquered the lands of Hellas, the pressure and oppression of Greek culture inevitably affected them, gradually leading to complete decline.
A similar fate befell other, less significant, but similar in principle, sporting events. Them, starting from about the 6th century. BC. were regularly held in honor of various gods and were named after the place where they were held: Pythian Games, Isthmian Games, Nemean Games, etc. Mention of them, along with the Olympic Games, can be found in Herodotus, Plutarch, Lucian and some other ancient authors. But none of these competitions went down in history so firmly, did not influence the development of European culture so much, and were not subsequently restored to their rights as the Olympic Games.
Revival of the Olympic Games
Christian dogmas ruled over the European continent for more than one and a half thousand years, during which there was no question of holding the Olympic Games in their classical format. Even the Renaissance, which revived ancient values and cultural achievements, turned out to be powerless in this matter. And only at the end of the 19th century, that is, relatively recently, the restoration of the ancient Greek traditions of physical culture became possible. This event is associated with the name of Pierre de Coubertin. This 33-year-old French baron, who succeeded in his teaching and literary career and social activities, considered regular sports competitions an excellent opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding throughout the world in general and increase the national consciousness of his compatriots in particular.
In June 1894, de Coubertin spoke at international congress at the Sorbonne with a proposal to revive the Olympic Games. The proposal was received with enthusiasm, and the International Olympic Committee was created at the same time. general secretary who was appointed by de Coubertin himself. And after two years of preparation, in 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, the capital of the cradle of the Olympic Games. And with great success: 241 athletes from 14 countries, the leaders of these countries, and the flattered Greek government were very pleased with the sporting event. The IOC immediately established a rotation of Olympic venues and a 4-year interval between the Games.
Therefore, the second and third Olympic Games were held already in the twentieth century, in 1900 and 1904, in Paris (France) and St. Louis (USA), respectively. Even then, their organization adhered to the Charter of the Olympic Games, approved by the International Sports Congress. Its main provisions remain unchanged today. In particular, those related to the serial numbering of the Games, their symbols, venues and some other technical and organizational issues. As for Olympic sports, their list is not constant and changes from time to time, sometimes including or excluding some individual items. But basically today there are 28 (41 disciplines) sports:
By the way, modern pentathlon was also created on the initiative of de Coubertin. He also founded the tradition, later enshrined in the Olympic Charter, of holding demonstration competitions in 1-2 sports not recognized by the IOC. But the baron’s idea to hold art competitions at the Olympic Games did not catch on. But the personal Pierre de Coubertin Medal is still awarded by the International Olympic Committee for “outstanding manifestations of the Olympic sports spirit.” This award is a special honor for an athlete, and many value it much higher than an Olympic gold medal.
By the way, the Olympic medal was also born along with the modern Olympic Games and can be considered the brainchild of de Coubertin’s inexhaustible enthusiasm and ingenuity. After all, the ancient Greeks awarded their athletes not with medals at all, but with any other prizes: olive wreaths, gold coins and other jewelry. One of the kings even granted the winning athlete his state. IN modern world such waste is unthinkable, because all the principles of awarding and the award system of the Olympic Games since 1984 are clearly stated in the Olympic Charter.
Development of the Olympic Games. Paralympic and Winter Olympic Games.
The Olympic Charter is a kind of charter containing the rules of the Olympic Games and the activities of the IOC, as well as reflecting the very concept and philosophy of the Olympics. At the beginning of its existence, it still allowed adjustments and amendments. In particular, since 1924 it has also regulated the holding of the Winter Olympic Games, or “White Olympics,” conceived as a supplement to the main summer games. The first Winter Olympics were held in Sweden, and then for almost a century they were regularly held in the same years as the Summer Olympics. It was only in 1994 that the tradition began of separating the summer and winter Olympics from each other by a two-year interval. Today, the Olympic Winter Games include the following 7 winter (15 disciplines) sports:
A little earlier, in 1960, the IOC decided to hold competitions among athletes with disabilities. They were called the Paralympic Games due to the general term for spinal diseases. But later it was reformulated into the Paralympic Games and explained by “parallelism”, equality with the Olympic Games, since athletes with other diseases began to compete. By their example they demonstrate the moral and physical strength necessary for a fulfilling life and sporting victories.
Rules and traditions of the Olympic Games
The scale and significance of the Olympic Games has surrounded them with many traditions, nuances and social myths. Each regular competition is accompanied by the close attention of the world community, funds mass media and private fans. Over the years, the Games have indeed acquired many rituals, most of which are enshrined in the Charter and strictly observed by the IOC. Here are the most significant of them:
