Post on 11-Mar-2018
The Olympic Games
Ancient Games and theModern Games
The Ancient Olympics
• Began in 776 BC at Olympia, Greece• Originally a religious ceremony in honor of
the Greek gods.– 100 oxen were sacrificed at the beginning of
the Games– “Olympic Truce:” All wars and battles were
halted so that everyone could come and watch the Games.
– Based on 4-year periods called Olympiads
Original Running Track:Olympia, Greece
The Olympic Athlete
• Men only allowed to play
• Men had to play in the nude or with very little clothing (“gymnos”)
• Running was the only event at the first Games
Rules
• In wrestling…• No biting,• No eye gouging,• Breaking opponent’s
limbs was legal,• In boxing…• Both men played until
one gave up or died
• In Greece, there was no Second Place
• Only winners were honored, the losers were ignored
• Winners were given a laurel wreath for their head
The end of the Ancient Games
• Ended in 394 AD by the Roman Emperor Theodosius, who was a Christian
• Considered them “pagan” games
The Modern Games
• Revived in 1896 and first hosted in Athens, Greece
• No women allowed to take part
• Medals replaced the laurel wreaths
Berlin, 1936
• Hosted by the Nazis• Germans believe they
were the best athletes in the world
• Jessie Owens, a Black American runner, won four medals and shattered that myth
Munich, 1972
• Terrorists took several Israeli athletes hostage
• They were killed as they were being rescued
Atlanta, 1996
• Centennial of the Games
• Many thought it would go to Athens, Greece
• 10,000+ athletes took part
• Bomb exploded in Centennial Park
The Olympics Come HomeAthens 2004
• Over 10,000 athletes to take part
• Pumped over $1billion into the Greek economy
Olympics Medals to be awarded in Athens
Silver Gold Bronze
Future Olympic Cities
• February 10, 2006- Turin, Italy (Winter)• Summer 2008- Beijing China• Winter 2010- Vancouver, Canada• Summer 2012- London, England, UK