THE OLYMPIC GAMESTHE OLYMPIC GAMES

• ObjectivesObjectives• In the two lessons on the Olympics you should In the two lessons on the Olympics you should

learn about:-learn about:-

• The History of the Ancient Games and modern The History of the Ancient Games and modern gamesgames

• The advantages and disadvantages of hosting The advantages and disadvantages of hosting this event.this event.

• The controversies surrounding various Games The controversies surrounding various Games in the modern era.in the modern era.

• The importance of The Olympic games as an The importance of The Olympic games as an international event.international event.

THE OLYMPIC GAMESTHE OLYMPIC GAMES

• A N C I E N T O LY M P I C GA M E S

• The first recorded Ancient Olympic Games were in 776BC. They lasted for approximately

1000 years. Then in 394AD they were banned by the Roman Emperor, Theodosius. He forbade any pagan festivals, which included the Olympic Games.

• The Games were held in Olympia. A village in a sacred fertile valley, approximately 500km

south west of Mount Olympus, after which it is named. Originally, organised as a religious, sporting and cultural festival, the Ancient Olympic Games were held in honour of Zeus, the father of the gods.

• The Ancient Greeks believed that both the body and mind needed discipline. They believed

that those who practiced this discipline could best honour Zeus. The perfect human would

come from a “marriage of mind and muscle”.

• The name “Olympic” is derived from Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods. The Games of Olympia were held in honour of Zeus. They were held every four years. This time span has become known as an Olympiad. Only Greek citizens were allowed to compete. For centuries Greece was divided into independent states. These states were often at war with one another. However, during the Olympic festival there was a guaranteed official truce, called the Ekecheiria. This allowed athletes to travel safely from their cities, across the Greek Empire, to take part in the Games. A violation of this truce was punishable by death. And yes they

had to compete naked!!!!

THE OLYMPIC GAMESTHE OLYMPIC GAMES• THE BIRTH OF THE NEW GAMES• It was Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France who dreamt up

this ambitious project. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Olympic Games, plus from Much Wenlock! Coubertin decided to create the modern Olympics and founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894 in Paris. This new committee set itself the objective of organising the first modern games.

• The first modern Olympic Games in 1896 featured many references to the original Greek Games

• They were held in Athens as a reminder that the Olympic Games originated in Greece.

• Most of the sports on the programme of the ancient Olympic Games were echoed in the modern Games. The organisers even went as far as to invent the marathon

THE OLYMPIC GAMESTHE OLYMPIC GAMES• De Coubertin liked the way that sport was organised in Britain and visited De Coubertin liked the way that sport was organised in Britain and visited

lots of events including the Henley Regatta – this combined with the lots of events including the Henley Regatta – this combined with the discovery of the ruins of the original stadium in Olympia gave him the push discovery of the ruins of the original stadium in Olympia gave him the push to start the Olympics. to start the Olympics.

• He believed that the games would promote world peace and harmony asHe believed that the games would promote world peace and harmony as

seen in his quote which is still displayed on the scoreboards at each games.seen in his quote which is still displayed on the scoreboards at each games.

• ““The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part. Just as the most important thing in life is not the

triumph but the struggle”

The IOC which was originally chosen by the Baron is now huge and has The IOC which was originally chosen by the Baron is now huge and has representatives from all the countries who take part. They decide where the representatives from all the countries who take part. They decide where the games will take part and chose the city 6 years before the event.games will take part and chose the city 6 years before the event.

• At first not many cities wanted the ‘honour’ as the games are extremely At first not many cities wanted the ‘honour’ as the games are extremely expensive and usually made a loss. This changed after 1984 when because expensive and usually made a loss. This changed after 1984 when because of marketing and sponsorship the games resulted in a ‘surplus’of marketing and sponsorship the games resulted in a ‘surplus’

• It now costs nearly as much to make a bid as host the games!It now costs nearly as much to make a bid as host the games!

THETHE OLYMPICOLYMPIC GAMESGAMES• Rings, motto and flame —Rings, motto and flame —

Transmitting the values of Transmitting the values of Olympism through symbols : Olympism through symbols : universality, excellence, peace universality, excellence, peace and openness to others.and openness to others.

• The RingsThe Rings• Five interlacing rings to illustrate Five interlacing rings to illustrate

the universality of the Olympic the universality of the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games — Rings and flag proposed Games — Rings and flag proposed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914 — by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914 — Presence of the rings and flag at Presence of the rings and flag at the Olympic Games — Symbol the Olympic Games — Symbol recognised all over the world.recognised all over the world.

• Rings represent the five Rings represent the five continents and the colours are in continents and the colours are in every flag in the world.every flag in the world.

• The MottoThe Motto• The Olympic motto is made up of

three Latin words :

• Which means :• FASTER — HIGHER — STRONGER

• The Flame • Link between the Games of

antiquity and the modern Games — Message of peace and friendship — Lighting of the flame and organisation of the relay.

• The Olympic games were the first major The Olympic games were the first major international sporting event and they are international sporting event and they are still the most important and successful of still the most important and successful of all the events that take place.all the events that take place.

• However, things have not always run However, things have not always run smoothly and nearly all of the recent one smoothly and nearly all of the recent one have been affected by problems of one have been affected by problems of one sort or another.sort or another.

THE OLYMPIC GAMESTHE OLYMPIC GAMES

THE BERLIN GAMES 1936THE BERLIN GAMES 1936• This was a games dominated by politics

– Hitler was in power and wanted the games to be a propaganda exercise for his ideals and beliefs. One of these was that the Aryan master race – that people who were blond, fair and true Germans – were superior to all others.

• However Jesse Owens a black USA athlete won 4 gold medals and this along with many other black athletes winning medals foiled Hitler's plans.

• The USA team nearly hadn’t gone to the games because they were concerned about what was happening to Jews and Black people in Germany under Hitler but this ended up being the best way to counteract his ideas to the world at large.

• It did make the IOC think much more carefully about who to let host the games from then on.

THE MEXICO GAMES -1968THE MEXICO GAMES -1968

• Mexico was a very controversial Mexico was a very controversial games for several reasons. Firstly games for several reasons. Firstly it was the first one to be held at it was the first one to be held at high altitude – helps athletes who high altitude – helps athletes who train at altitude and those in short train at altitude and those in short explosive events. explosive events.

• Secondly Mexico was a very poor Secondly Mexico was a very poor country and people worried that country and people worried that they would not be able to afford they would not be able to afford the games – they were still paying the games – they were still paying the money off many years later.the money off many years later.

• There were also several black There were also several black American athletes who gave a American athletes who gave a black power salute during their black power salute during their medal ceremonies. This was to medal ceremonies. This was to protest at the way black people protest at the way black people were treated in America. Two were treated in America. Two athletes were sent home by the athletes were sent home by the American team. American team.

THE MUNICH GAMES - 1972THE MUNICH GAMES - 1972

• On the morning of September 5, with six days left in the Games, the worst tragedy in Olympic history hit. Eight Arab terrorists stormed into the Olympic village and raided the apartment building that housed the Israeli contingent. Two Israeli athletes were killed and nine more were seized as hostages. They demanded the release of over 200 Palestinians serving time in Israeli jails, along with two renowned German terrorists.

• After a day of unsuccessful negotiations, the terrorists collected the hostages and headed for the military airport in Munich for a flight back to the Middle East. At the airport, German sharpshooters opened fire, killing three of the Palestinians. A horrifying gun battle ensued, claiming the lives of all nine of the hostages, along with one policeman and two terrorists.

THE MUNICH GAMES - 1972THE MUNICH GAMES - 1972

• Athletic competition was suspended Athletic competition was suspended for 24 hours. During a day of for 24 hours. During a day of mourning, a memorial service was mourning, a memorial service was held at the main stadium in front of held at the main stadium in front of 80,000 spectators. In a controversial 80,000 spectators. In a controversial decision, IOC president Avery decision, IOC president Avery Brundage declared, "the Games Brundage declared, "the Games must go on." And so they did, with must go on." And so they did, with the Olympic and national flags flying the Olympic and national flags flying at half-mast.at half-mast.

• The most memorable footage from The most memorable footage from Munich should have been that of Munich should have been that of American swimmer Mark Spitz American swimmer Mark Spitz winning his seventh gold medal or winning his seventh gold medal or 17-year-old Russian gymnast Olga 17-year-old Russian gymnast Olga Korbut wowing the world on the Korbut wowing the world on the balance beam. Instead, we're left balance beam. Instead, we're left with disturbing photos of terrorists with disturbing photos of terrorists in ski masks and of a policeman in ski masks and of a policeman standing on the roof of the standing on the roof of the compound waiting to pounce with a compound waiting to pounce with a semi-automatic weapon. And semi-automatic weapon. And ultimately we're left with the video ultimately we're left with the video of ABC announcer Jim McKay of ABC announcer Jim McKay uttering his fateful words, "They're uttering his fateful words, "They're all gone."all gone."

THE MONTREAL GAMES 1976THE MONTREAL GAMES 1976

• South Africa had been banned South Africa had been banned from Tokyo Olympics because of from Tokyo Olympics because of apartheid.apartheid.

• A New Zealand rugby team had A New Zealand rugby team had toured South Africa and toured South Africa and therefore upset African Nations.therefore upset African Nations.

• A total of 30 nations , mostly A total of 30 nations , mostly African, boycotted the Montreal African, boycotted the Montreal Games as a consequence.Games as a consequence.

• This was the start of a long This was the start of a long period of boycotts for various period of boycotts for various political reasons.political reasons.

• The other reason that Montreal The other reason that Montreal was notable was the cost of the was notable was the cost of the games – because of increased games – because of increased security after the Munich Games. security after the Munich Games. It took Montreal many years to It took Montreal many years to pay off the debt.pay off the debt.

THE MOSCOW GAMES - 1980THE MOSCOW GAMES - 1980• The choice of Moscow was The choice of Moscow was

controversial due to a poor human controversial due to a poor human rights record.rights record.

• The Soviet Union had invaded The Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan prior to the Games and Afghanistan prior to the Games and when the games were due to begin when the games were due to begin they were still occupying the country.they were still occupying the country.

• Many countries demanded that the Many countries demanded that the Soviets withdrew but they refused – Soviets withdrew but they refused – many countries boycotted the games many countries boycotted the games as a protest.as a protest.

• As a result a total of 52 nation, As a result a total of 52 nation, including the USA and Canada including the USA and Canada boycotted and also individuals from boycotted and also individuals from many other teams decided that their many other teams decided that their consciences would not allow them to consciences would not allow them to go.go.

• Many people felt that this devalued Many people felt that this devalued the Moscow Games particularly as the Moscow Games particularly as the American team was always very the American team was always very strong – i.e. that the standard wasn’t strong – i.e. that the standard wasn’t as high.as high.

THE LOS ANGELES GAMES - 1984THE LOS ANGELES GAMES - 1984

• As the venue is chosen 6 years As the venue is chosen 6 years in advance the IOC could not in advance the IOC could not avoid America staging the avoid America staging the Games after they had boycotted Games after they had boycotted the Moscow Games.the Moscow Games.

• The Soviet Union along with 14 The Soviet Union along with 14 other nations retaliated in turn other nations retaliated in turn by boycotting the Los Angeles by boycotting the Los Angeles Games. Security was the excuse Games. Security was the excuse but in reality it was tit for tat.but in reality it was tit for tat.

• Another excuse was that the Another excuse was that the Games were over Games were over commercialised and for the first commercialised and for the first time ever the Games ran at a time ever the Games ran at a large profit for the host city.large profit for the host city.

• This was against Communist This was against Communist ideals and thus was a perfect ideals and thus was a perfect excuse to boycott.excuse to boycott.

THE SEOUL GAMES - 1988THE SEOUL GAMES - 1988• Seoul is in S Korea and there had Seoul is in S Korea and there had

been a war between them and N been a war between them and N Korea – situation was still bad in 88.Korea – situation was still bad in 88.

• The IOC was criticized for awarding The IOC was criticized for awarding Seoul the games – there was a lot of Seoul the games – there was a lot of tension that the facilities wouldn’t tension that the facilities wouldn’t be ready and that N Korea would be ready and that N Korea would interfere.interfere.

• In the end there was little In the end there was little disruption and the games were disruption and the games were quite successful.quite successful.

• There were 5 boycotts including N There were 5 boycotts including N Korea and Cuba but new rules Korea and Cuba but new rules meant that the countries who meant that the countries who boycotted would not be involved in boycotted would not be involved in future decisions.future decisions.

• The biggest controversy was drug The biggest controversy was drug related – in all ten athletes were related – in all ten athletes were banned after testing positive.banned after testing positive.

• The most famous was The most famous was Canadian Ben Johnson who Canadian Ben Johnson who won the 100m but was won the 100m but was stripped of his title 2 days stripped of his title 2 days later.later.

THE BARCELONA GAMES - 1992THE BARCELONA GAMES - 1992

• After all the previous After all the previous controversial events the 1992 controversial events the 1992 were just about incident free.were just about incident free.

• This is basically because the This is basically because the old Soviet Union had ceased old Soviet Union had ceased to exist and the E. European to exist and the E. European Communist countries had Communist countries had collapsed and all these collapsed and all these countries could now compete countries could now compete individually.individually.

• South Africa were also South Africa were also welcomed back to fold as welcomed back to fold as they had ended apartheid and they had ended apartheid and entered a mixed race team.entered a mixed race team.

• There were over 12,000 There were over 12,000 athletes competing in 257 athletes competing in 257 medal events.medal events.

• Drugs were still an issue and Drugs were still an issue and 3 Britons were sent home 3 Britons were sent home when they tested positive.when they tested positive.

THE ATLANTA GAMES - 1996THE ATLANTA GAMES - 1996• Controversy raged before the Controversy raged before the

games even started – it was games even started – it was considered that the time of the considered that the time of the games would result in potential games would result in potential danger for the athletes because danger for the athletes because of high humidity and of high humidity and temperatures but Atlanta had temperatures but Atlanta had spent 6 yrs getting ready for the spent 6 yrs getting ready for the biggest games yet – so it was biggest games yet – so it was decided to carry on.decided to carry on.

• Measures were taken to help the Measures were taken to help the athletes – fans blowing fine mists athletes – fans blowing fine mists of water – particularly used in the of water – particularly used in the equestrian events and marathons.equestrian events and marathons.

• There were problems due to the There were problems due to the large numbers of media and large numbers of media and spectators which meant crushes spectators which meant crushes at many of the venues – athletes at many of the venues – athletes were often held up getting to were often held up getting to their event.their event.

• Drugs were a problem – Michelle Drugs were a problem – Michelle Smith won 3 gold medals but Smith won 3 gold medals but insisted it was not due to drugs – insisted it was not due to drugs – 1997 tested positive and 1997 tested positive and eventually banned in 1999.eventually banned in 1999.

• On day 9 there was a On day 9 there was a tragedy – a pipe bomb tragedy – a pipe bomb blast in Centennial Park blast in Centennial Park (right next to the stadium) (right next to the stadium) killed 1 person and injured killed 1 person and injured 11. This brought new fears 11. This brought new fears about the games being a about the games being a terrorist target so security terrorist target so security was greatly increased. was greatly increased.

THE NAGANO GAMES - 1998THE NAGANO GAMES - 1998• These winter Olympics were the These winter Olympics were the

first ones in which technological first ones in which technological developments created big developments created big controversy.controversy.

• Dutch skaters used Dutch skaters used revolutionary skates with revolutionary skates with hinged mechanisms and a one hinged mechanisms and a one piece body suit therefore much piece body suit therefore much more aerodynamic.more aerodynamic.

• They presented the innovations They presented the innovations to the International Speed to the International Speed skating Union for approval skating Union for approval 48hrs before the races so no 48hrs before the races so no one could copy them. They went one could copy them. They went on to win the first 4 places in on to win the first 4 places in the 5000m race.the 5000m race.

• The USA and Canadian teams The USA and Canadian teams also protested when the winner also protested when the winner of the luge Georg Hackle wore of the luge Georg Hackle wore aerodynamic boots which aerodynamic boots which shaved 300shaved 300thth of a second off his of a second off his time.time.

THE SYDNEY GAMES - 2000THE SYDNEY GAMES - 2000• Thought to be one of the most Thought to be one of the most

successful and friendly games of successful and friendly games of recent times. Very little in the way recent times. Very little in the way of controversy or major incident.of controversy or major incident.

• The biggest controversy was the The biggest controversy was the withdrawal of 27 athletes and 13 withdrawal of 27 athletes and 13 team officials from the Chinese team officials from the Chinese team just before the games. team just before the games. People thought that this was People thought that this was because they didn’t want to risk because they didn’t want to risk drugs tests finding positive drugs tests finding positive results.results.

• Drug testing at the games were Drug testing at the games were the strictest ever and also the the strictest ever and also the most advanced ever and low levels most advanced ever and low levels of performance particularly in the of performance particularly in the marathon was evidence that less marathon was evidence that less cheating had taken place.cheating had taken place.

• Steve Redgrave also won his 5Steve Redgrave also won his 5thth Gold medal in rowing – a record in Gold medal in rowing – a record in an endurance event.an endurance event.

Hosting the GamesHosting the Games• There is never a shortage of volunteers to There is never a shortage of volunteers to

host the Olympics, or other international host the Olympics, or other international events, as the advantages are seen to events, as the advantages are seen to outweigh the disadvantages. outweigh the disadvantages.

• ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES• A likelihood of making a profit through A likelihood of making a profit through

sponsorship, media rights and sponsorship, media rights and marketing/merchandise.marketing/merchandise.

• The provision of updated or new facilities that The provision of updated or new facilities that can be used again later.can be used again later.

• Raising the profile and reputation of the hosts in Raising the profile and reputation of the hosts in the eyes of the rest of the world.the eyes of the rest of the world.

Hosting the GamesHosting the Games

• Disadvantages.Disadvantages.• Security risk and the threat of a Security risk and the threat of a

terrorist attack.terrorist attack.• Boycotts and protests for political Boycotts and protests for political

reasons.reasons.• High costs and expenses to provide High costs and expenses to provide

facilities and security.facilities and security.

Security bill for London's 2012 Olympics to hit £1.5bn - triple the original estimateSecurity costs 'will send 2012 bill over £10bn'