There are
88
Days left before the Olympics begin
(This is from Monday April 30th)
When and where were the
First Olympics?
In 776 B.C. the first
Olympics were held in
Europe at Olympia, Greece.
Olympia was a sanctuary
dedicated in honor of Zeus,
the father of all Greek
Gods and Goddesses.
The games were part of a
religious festival.
(Photos from right: model of layout of Zeus’
Sanctuary; gateway to stadium
Photo credit: Hellenic Ministry of Culture)
Who could compete in the Olympics?
Free-born Greeks and those who spoke Greek
Separate men’s and boys’ divisions
Divisions based on age and physical size and strength
NO WOMENhttp://www.rediff.com/sports/2000/aug/24anc1.jpg
(married women could nothttp://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/first-olympic-5.jpg
even watch)
www.britishcouncil.or
g
What prizes did Olympic victors get?
The ancient Olympiads competed as
individuals
A laurel wreath to the victor
http://www.athensenvironmental.org/projects/global_olive_wreath.asp
Pentathlon
This was a 5-event combination of discus, javelin, jumping, running and wrestling.
Javelin
Discus
The discus was made of stone,
iron, bronze, or lead, and was
shaped like a flying saucer. Sizes
varied, since the boys' division was
not expected to throw the same
weight as the mens'.
Jump
The javelin was a man-high length of
wood, with either a sharpened end
or an attached metal point. It had a
thong for a hurler's fingers attached
to its center of gravity, which
increased the precision and distance
of a javelin's flight.
Athletes used lead or
stone jump weights
(halteres) shaped like
telephone receivers to
increase the length of
their jump.
Running Track:
Olympia, Greece
The Modern Games
• Revived in 1896 and first
hosted in Athens, Greece
• Medals replaced the
laurel wreaths
• The first modern olympic
games were held in April
1896. They attracted
Athletes from the United
States, Great Britain and
11 other nations.
• Only 42 events in 9 sports
were scheduled for these
games
Modern Olympics
The Modern Olympic flag of five linked
rings, each with a primary color used in
the flags of the nations competing in
the games, was introduced in 1908.
The idea of the Olympic torch or
Olympic Flame was first
inaugurated in the 1928 Olympic
Games in Amsterdam. There was
no torch relay in the ancient
Olympic Games.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are
awarded to winners of each event.
The selection of a city to host each
Olympics, winter or summer, is
made by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC).
Gymnastics
Here are some of the Olympic Sports
that you can look out for in the
Summer!
Swimming
Water Polo
Basketball
Football
Diving
Badminton
Fencing
Volley Ball
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Table Tennis
Track and Field
Canoe slalom (
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1
OYve6cMers (silly Olympic Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5
Dt4jjS_dyA (the moment it was
announced that London has won the
Olympic Bid)
Olympic Sport in the Spotlight
http://www1.skysports.c
om/olympics/handball/vi
deo/21860/7571486/
Timelapse video of the
Copper Box (Handball
arena) being built
http://www1.skysport
s.com/olympics/hand
ball/video/21860/744
4797/
A guide to Handball
OLYMPIC
VALUES
Olympic and Paralympic Values
Values Video
T:\AA
Communications\Olympics
Assemblies\Values_video.w
mv
Giant Olympic Rings in Kew Gardens
These are the sports at
the Olympic Games.
Do you know all of
them?
the Olympic Games
Which is your
favourite?
the Olympic Games
This link will let you find
out more about each
sport.