Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Unit 1 – Page 1
UNIT 1 - THE HISTORY OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES
1.1 THE HISTORY OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES
1.
The origin of the ancient Olympic Games - The Olympic Games are the
most famous sporting event today. The Olympic Games have a long history.
About 3000 years ago, Greece was made up of different city-states. Competitors from
different city-states and colonies joined the games held at Olympia. We call these
games the ancient Olympic Games. The first written record of the Games is dated to
776 BC. The Games were held every four years for the
Greek gods. Competitors must be Greek, male and
free man. Non-Greek, women and slaves could not
compete.
2.
The decline of the ancient Olympic Games - In 146 BC, Rome
conquered Greece. The Roman began to join the Games. It
marked the decline of the Games. The Roman saw sport as a
show to please the spectators. The spirit of competition was
forgotten. Besides, the Roman emperor Theodosius I became a
Christian who believed in a single God. He decided to abolish the Olympic Games in
393AD because the Games were for the many Greek gods.
3.
The revival of the Olympic Games - Inspired by the ancient Olympic
Games, Pierre de Coubertin of France decided to create the modern
Olympic Games. He founded the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) in 1894 in Paris. The IOC held the first modern Olympic Games in
1896. Since then, the modern Olympic Games have a history of more than
100 years. Today, the Olympic Games have become the biggest sporting
event. They have the largest number of events, the largest number of
competitors, and the most countries from which the competitors come. Thank for the
media, hundreds of millions of people can watch the Games.
Personal, Social and Humanities Education Section,Education Bureau
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
1.2
Unit 1 – Page 2
DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE ANCIENT AND THE
MODERN GAMES
 Base on Section 1.1 above and the following sources, suggest some differences and
similarities between the ancient and the modern Olympic Games.
International Olympic Committee: The ancient Olympic Games
http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_658.pdf
International Olympic Committee: The modern Olympic Games
http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_668.pdf
International Olympic Committe: The modern Olympic Charter
http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_668.pdf
International Olympic Committee : Sports on the Olympic Programme
http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/index_uk.asp
The ancient Games
Time
began
Duration
As early as 776 BC /
About 3000 years ago
1896
At least 1169 years (776BC - 393
AD)
112 years (1896 - 2008)
To honour Zeus, the father of
Greek gods and goddesses
To contribute to building a peaceful and
better world by educating youth
through sport practised without
discrimination of any kind and in the
Olympic spirit, which requires mutual
understanding with a spirit of
friendship, solidarity and fair play.
Aim/Goal
Olympia, Greece
Host
The modern Games
Changing host cities in different
countries
In America, Europe, Asia and Oceania
Personal, Social and Humanities Education Section,Education Bureau
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Unit 1 – Page 3
The ancient Games
No torch relay
Symbol
Event
The modern Games
Torch relay before the Games
Before the Games, people in different places are informed of the Games and
all wars are required to stop.
Fewer (e.g. 9 sports in 1896
Games)
No winter sports
No event for the disabled
More (e.g. 28 sports in 2004 Games)
Both summer and winter sports
There are events for the disabled.
Some events are found in both ancient and modern Olympic Games, for
example throwing javelin and discus
Greek only
Men only
Fewer
Open to all
Both men and women
More
Competitor
Amateur athletes gradually replaced by professional athletes.
Crown of leaves
Prize for one winner only
Medals
Gold, silver and bronze medals for
champion and runners-up
Prize
The host awards no money to winners.
Winners, however, can get material rewards from other sources.
(Any other reasonable and sensible differences)
Personal, Social and Humanities Education Section,Education Bureau