Olympic Games

Introduction
The Olympic Games have become one of the biggest sporting events of our time. Athletes from the entire world take part. Their achievements are watched from both near and far by hundredsof millions of spectators. The five rings on the Olympic flag represent the international nature of the Games. [see sheets “The Olympic Symbols”]. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were heldin Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The Ancient Olympic Games were a series of competitions held between representatives of several city-states and kingdoms from AncientGreece. Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement, whose structure and actions are defined bythe Olympic Charter.

What makes the Olympic Games different from other sports events? The Games are held every four years. They are the largest sporting celebration in terms of the number ofsports on the programme, the number of athletes present and the number of people from different nations gathered together at the same time in the same place. The Games are a well-known event, but are alsopart of a broader framework which is that of the Olympic Movement.

The purpose of the Olympic Movement is to:
– link sport with culture and education;
– promote the practice of sport and the joyfound in effort;
– help to build a better world through sport practised in a spirit of peace, excellence, friendship and respect.


2. The summer and the winter games
The Olympic Games includethe Games of the Olympiad (i.e. the Summer Games) and the Olympic Winter Games. The word Olympiad designates the four-year period that separates each edition of the Summer Games. The summer andWinter Games originally took place in the same year, but since 1992 the Winter Games have been held two years from the Summer Games. The Summer Games and the Winter Games continue to be organised once...