The History of the Olympic Games
The birthplace of the Olympic Games was Ancient Greece, 1000 BC. Already in that time, the Olympic Games had a cult status in the holy place of Olympia. Initially, they were organised as religious meetings. At first, they only had one competition, but at the height of their popularity, the Olympic Games lasted five days and included sports such as wrestling and chariot racing. Only men could compete and watch the Olympic Games. Women had their own competition in honour of the goddess Hera.
The Beginning of the Olympic Games
At ancient competitions, winning was much more important than one would have thought, based on the Olympic philosophy of Pierre de Coubertin. By a lucky coincidence, a few achievements from those times are still available to us, since they were unable to measure them with a stopwatch or otherwise.
The winners were entitled to a number of favours: they received an olive wreath, and a sculpture, a vase or a tripod made of precious metal. They were exempt from paying taxes, they received free food, had an honorary chair in the theatre, odes were sung in their honour and poems were written about them. Winning was exceptionally important and losing was nothing less than a disgrace for the entire city-state.
We only have lists of winners from 776 BC onwards, but researchers studying the ancient world have proved that they go back as far as the second millennia. During the five-day competitions, the following sports were assessed: running, duel, pentathlon, horseracing and chariot racing. They also chose the best trumpet player and the best announcer. The winners received their awards on the last day of the Olympic Games.
In 391, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I officially banned all pagan worship, including the Olympic Games. That was the end of the Olympic Movement at that time.
In the Middle Ages, sports were only slowly regaining popularity around the world, but in the 19th century, sports became popular again. New sports were devised, such as golf, football and tennis. Exercising as a sport for the masses was also becoming popular.
The Olympic Games in the Modern Era
Pierre de Coubertin was born in Paris, in 1863, to an old French family. He is one of the key figures who helped develop the spirit of Olympism. As a young man, he was enthusiastic about the ancient Olympic Games. His idea was to re-awaken this noble way of conditioning one’s body in the form of amateur sports competitions, which would represent a reward on its own. The ideal values of sports meetings should in no way be tarnished by material rewards for the athletes, nor by considerations of profit and sports deals. Coubertin tirelessly searched for an appropriate form to popularise his idea of reintroducing the Olympic Games. At the congress in 1894 at the Sorbonne, they unanimously adopted the decision to reintroduce the Olympic Games, which took place in 1896 in Athens. The Olympic Games were to take place every four years in the capitals of other countries.
The Beginning of the Olympic Games
At ancient competitions, winning was much more important than one would have thought, based on the Olympic philosophy of Pierre de Coubertin. By a lucky coincidence, a few achievements from those times are still available to us, since they were unable to measure them with a stopwatch or otherwise.
The winners were entitled to a number of favours: they received an olive wreath, and a sculpture, a vase or a tripod made of precious metal. They were exempt from paying taxes, they received free food, had an honorary chair in the theatre, odes were sung in their honour and poems were written about them. Winning was exceptionally important and losing was nothing less than a disgrace for the entire city-state.
We only have lists of winners from 776 BC onwards, but researchers studying the ancient world have proved that they go back as far as the second millennia. During the five-day competitions, the following sports were assessed: running, duel, pentathlon, horseracing and chariot racing. They also chose the best trumpet player and the best announcer. The winners received their awards on the last day of the Olympic Games.
In 391, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I officially banned all pagan worship, including the Olympic Games. That was the end of the Olympic Movement at that time.
In the Middle Ages, sports were only slowly regaining popularity around the world, but in the 19th century, sports became popular again. New sports were devised, such as golf, football and tennis. Exercising as a sport for the masses was also becoming popular.
The Olympic Games in the Modern Era
Pierre de Coubertin was born in Paris, in 1863, to an old French family. He is one of the key figures who helped develop the spirit of Olympism. As a young man, he was enthusiastic about the ancient Olympic Games. His idea was to re-awaken this noble way of conditioning one’s body in the form of amateur sports competitions, which would represent a reward on its own. The ideal values of sports meetings should in no way be tarnished by material rewards for the athletes, nor by considerations of profit and sports deals. Coubertin tirelessly searched for an appropriate form to popularise his idea of reintroducing the Olympic Games. At the congress in 1894 at the Sorbonne, they unanimously adopted the decision to reintroduce the Olympic Games, which took place in 1896 in Athens. The Olympic Games were to take place every four years in the capitals of other countries.
What Are the Olympic Games?
The first Olympic Games of the modern era took place in 1896 in Athens. At first, only 13 countries participated, but with each subsequent Olympic Games, the number of participating countries increased. At first, only the Summer Olympic Games were organised but in 1924, the first Winter Olympic Games took place in Chamonix. In 1916, there were no Olympic Games because of WWI. In 1940 and 1944 there were no Olympic Games because of WWII. Until 1992, the Summer and Winter Olympic Games took place in the same year, but then they decided that they should take place separately, which means we now have the Olympic Games every two years.
What is the essence of the modern Olympic philosophy?
In Ancient Greece, the philosophy of the Olympic spirit represented the moral basis for Greece’s national unity and was so strong that it was able to establish a peace between the warring parties during war.
In 1892, Pierre de Coubertin presented the idea of reintroducing the Ancient form of the Olympic Games to his supporters. Two years later, on 23 June 1894, the International Olympic Committee was established. The first Olympic Games of the modern era took place in April of 1896 in Athens. From then on, the Olympic concept gradually spread all around the world.
The Olympic Movement unites all those people who agree to the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter and acknowledge the authority of the International Olympic Committee – International Branch Associations of Olympic Sports, National Olympic Committees (NOC), athletes, judges, societies and other institutions recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Excerpts from the Olympic Charter:
T2.) Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
T6.) The goal of the Olympic Movement is to encourage and support the promotion of ethics and good governance in sport as well as education of youth through sport and to dedicate its efforts to ensuring that, in sport, the spirit of fair play prevails and violence is banned.
The Olympic Charter – Fundamental Principles of Olympism
Activities
The Olympic Movement is known for its many activities which exceed the Olympic Games themselves and intervene in the field of sports in the wider sense:
The election of the host city is the exclusive competence of the IOC. The applicant cities who want to host Olympic Games must be approved by the Evaluation Commission. In order to be admissible, any application by any city to host Olympic Games must be approved by the NOC of its country. Any application to host Olympic Games must be submitted to the IOC by the competent public authorities of the applicant city together with the approval of the NOC of the country. Such authorities and the NOC must guarantee that the Olympic Games will be organised to the satisfaction of and under the conditions required by the IOC. Should there be several potential applicant cities in the same country to the same Olympic Games, one city only may apply, as decided by the NOC of the country concerned. The national government of the country of any applicant city must submit to the IOC a legally binding instrument by which the said government undertakes and guarantees that the country and its public authorities will comply with and respect the Olympic Charter. From the day of submission to the IOC of an application to host the Olympic Games, the NOC of the applicant city’s country shall supervise and shall be jointly responsible for the actions and conduct of the applicant city in relation to its application, and, as the case may be, to the city’s candidature to host the Olympic Games.
Each applicant city has the obligation to comply with the Olympic Charter and with any other regulations or requirements issued by the IOC Executive Board, as well as with all technical norms issued by the international federation for their respective sports. All applicant cities shall comply with a candidature acceptance procedure, conducted under the authority of the IOC Executive Board, which shall determine the contents of such procedure. Each candidate city shall provide financial guarantees as required by the IOC Executive Board.
Following the submission of its report by the Evaluation Commission, the IOC Executive Board shall draw up the final list of candidate cities retained by the IOC Executive Board in order to be submitted to the vote by the Session for election. The election of the host city takes place in a country having no candidate city for the organisation of the Olympic Games concerned. Save in exceptional circumstances, such election takes place seven years before the celebration of the Olympic Games.
Location, sites and venues of the Olympic Games
All sports competitions and the opening and closing ceremonies must, in principle, take place in the host city of the Olympic Games, as well as the organisation of preliminary sports competitions in a city (or cities) located outside the host city in the same country.
In exceptional circumstances, if a particular competition or sports discipline of the Winter Olympic Games cannot be organised in the host country, notably for reasons of geography and topography, the IOC may allow the competition to take place in the neighbouring country.
Organising Committee
The organisation of the Olympic Games is entrusted by the IOC to the NOC of the country of the host city as well as to the host city itself. The NOC shall be responsible for the establishment, for that purpose, of an Organising Committee (“OCOG”) which, from the time it is constituted, cooperates and reports directly to the IOC Executive Board.
The executive body of the OCOG shall include:
From the time of its constitution to the end of its liquidation, the OCOG shall conduct all its activities in accordance with the Olympic Charter, with the agreement entered into between the IOC, the NOC and the host city and with any other regulations or instructions of the IOC Executive Board.
In the event of non-compliance with the Olympic Charter or other regulations or instructions of the IOC, or a breach of the obligations entered into by the NOC, the OCOG or the host city, the IOC is entitled to withdraw, at any time and with immediate effect, the organisation of the Olympic Games from the host city, the OCOG and the NOC, without prejudice to compensation for any damage thereby caused to the IOC.
The NOC, the OCOG and the host city are jointly and severally liable for all commitments entered into individually or collectively concerning the organisation and staging of the Olympic Games, excluding the financial responsibility for the organisation and staging of such Games, which shall be entirely assumed jointly and severally by the host city and the OCOG, without prejudice to any liability of any other party.
What is the essence of the modern Olympic philosophy?
In Ancient Greece, the philosophy of the Olympic spirit represented the moral basis for Greece’s national unity and was so strong that it was able to establish a peace between the warring parties during war.
In 1892, Pierre de Coubertin presented the idea of reintroducing the Ancient form of the Olympic Games to his supporters. Two years later, on 23 June 1894, the International Olympic Committee was established. The first Olympic Games of the modern era took place in April of 1896 in Athens. From then on, the Olympic concept gradually spread all around the world.
The Olympic Movement unites all those people who agree to the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter and acknowledge the authority of the International Olympic Committee – International Branch Associations of Olympic Sports, National Olympic Committees (NOC), athletes, judges, societies and other institutions recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Excerpts from the Olympic Charter:
T2.) Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
T6.) The goal of the Olympic Movement is to encourage and support the promotion of ethics and good governance in sport as well as education of youth through sport and to dedicate its efforts to ensuring that, in sport, the spirit of fair play prevails and violence is banned.
The Olympic Charter – Fundamental Principles of Olympism
Activities
The Olympic Movement is known for its many activities which exceed the Olympic Games themselves and intervene in the field of sports in the wider sense:
- to promote sports and competitions with the aid of national and international institutions around the world,
- to cooperate with the competent public or private organisations and authorities in the endeavour to place sport at the service of humanity,
- to encourage and support the development of sport for all,
- to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures with a view to implementing the principle of equality of men and women,
- to oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes,
- to lead the fight against doping,
- to encourage and support the promotion of ethics and fair play,
- to encourage and support a responsible concern for environmental issues,
- to use education and financing to support the less developed countries – Olympic Solidarity programmes.
The election of the host city is the exclusive competence of the IOC. The applicant cities who want to host Olympic Games must be approved by the Evaluation Commission. In order to be admissible, any application by any city to host Olympic Games must be approved by the NOC of its country. Any application to host Olympic Games must be submitted to the IOC by the competent public authorities of the applicant city together with the approval of the NOC of the country. Such authorities and the NOC must guarantee that the Olympic Games will be organised to the satisfaction of and under the conditions required by the IOC. Should there be several potential applicant cities in the same country to the same Olympic Games, one city only may apply, as decided by the NOC of the country concerned. The national government of the country of any applicant city must submit to the IOC a legally binding instrument by which the said government undertakes and guarantees that the country and its public authorities will comply with and respect the Olympic Charter. From the day of submission to the IOC of an application to host the Olympic Games, the NOC of the applicant city’s country shall supervise and shall be jointly responsible for the actions and conduct of the applicant city in relation to its application, and, as the case may be, to the city’s candidature to host the Olympic Games.
Each applicant city has the obligation to comply with the Olympic Charter and with any other regulations or requirements issued by the IOC Executive Board, as well as with all technical norms issued by the international federation for their respective sports. All applicant cities shall comply with a candidature acceptance procedure, conducted under the authority of the IOC Executive Board, which shall determine the contents of such procedure. Each candidate city shall provide financial guarantees as required by the IOC Executive Board.
Following the submission of its report by the Evaluation Commission, the IOC Executive Board shall draw up the final list of candidate cities retained by the IOC Executive Board in order to be submitted to the vote by the Session for election. The election of the host city takes place in a country having no candidate city for the organisation of the Olympic Games concerned. Save in exceptional circumstances, such election takes place seven years before the celebration of the Olympic Games.
Location, sites and venues of the Olympic Games
All sports competitions and the opening and closing ceremonies must, in principle, take place in the host city of the Olympic Games, as well as the organisation of preliminary sports competitions in a city (or cities) located outside the host city in the same country.
In exceptional circumstances, if a particular competition or sports discipline of the Winter Olympic Games cannot be organised in the host country, notably for reasons of geography and topography, the IOC may allow the competition to take place in the neighbouring country.
Organising Committee
The organisation of the Olympic Games is entrusted by the IOC to the NOC of the country of the host city as well as to the host city itself. The NOC shall be responsible for the establishment, for that purpose, of an Organising Committee (“OCOG”) which, from the time it is constituted, cooperates and reports directly to the IOC Executive Board.
The executive body of the OCOG shall include:
- the IOC member or members in the country,
- the President and Secretary General of the NOC,
- at least one member representing, and designated by, the host city.
From the time of its constitution to the end of its liquidation, the OCOG shall conduct all its activities in accordance with the Olympic Charter, with the agreement entered into between the IOC, the NOC and the host city and with any other regulations or instructions of the IOC Executive Board.
In the event of non-compliance with the Olympic Charter or other regulations or instructions of the IOC, or a breach of the obligations entered into by the NOC, the OCOG or the host city, the IOC is entitled to withdraw, at any time and with immediate effect, the organisation of the Olympic Games from the host city, the OCOG and the NOC, without prejudice to compensation for any damage thereby caused to the IOC.
The NOC, the OCOG and the host city are jointly and severally liable for all commitments entered into individually or collectively concerning the organisation and staging of the Olympic Games, excluding the financial responsibility for the organisation and staging of such Games, which shall be entirely assumed jointly and severally by the host city and the OCOG, without prejudice to any liability of any other party.
Olympic Simbols
The Olympic circles are now the most recognized element of the Olympic Games. They are also the most recognizable sign (brand name) in the world, which suggests that the Olympic Games are truly something more and are widespread around the world.
The Olympic fire
The Olympic Games open with a magnificent ceremony. The highlight is the burning of the Olympic flame. The Olympic fire has been lit in memory of the Antique Games since 1928. It has been transferred by runners from Greece to the place of the games since 1936. Groups of runners carry the torch from Olympia, the city of the ancient games, to the stadium where the games will be held. This ceremony originated in 1928, when Pierre de Coubertin called on athletes to maintain the flames of the renewed Olympic spirit.
The Olympic circles
The Olympic circles are the sign of the IOC. They are one of the most cherished signs in the world. The sign consists of five interconnected colored circles (in the upper three and two in the lower one) representing five interconnected continents. Connectivity means coexistence, mutual respect and friendship of the nations of the five continents of planet Earth. The colors are precisely defined and used to mean: in the upper row (from left to right): blue - Europe, black - Africa, red - America, yellow - Asia and green Australia with Oceania.
The flag of the IOC
The flag of the IOC is white with the sign of the organization. White symbolizes peace and the ancient Olympic Games, the time in which all wars stopped. The flag was displayed for the first time at the OG in 1920 in Antwerp.
The Olympic motto
The official motto for the Olympic Games is Citius, Altius, Fortius (faster, higher, stronger) and not the motto "It is important to participate and not win".
The Olympic Hymn
The Olympic Hym is the Olympic Ode. The music was written by Spyros Samaras, and the text is by Kostis Palamas. It was first performed at the first games in Athens. For athletes this is a "national anthem".
The Olympic oath
The oath was prepared by P. de Coubertin and athletes first said the words at the 1920 Antilles Olympics.
“In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.«
Athletes and judges also swear at the Winter Olympics since 1968, when the games were held in Ciudad de Mexico.
The name of the Olympiad
The symbol of the Olympic Games is also the four-year cycle of the Olympic Games that is taken after the ancient games. Here we must not confuse the two concepts: the Olympic Games (i.e. the time of the games, usually 14 days) and the Olympics (a cycle of four years, i.e. the time between two Olympic Games).
The Olympic fire
The Olympic Games open with a magnificent ceremony. The highlight is the burning of the Olympic flame. The Olympic fire has been lit in memory of the Antique Games since 1928. It has been transferred by runners from Greece to the place of the games since 1936. Groups of runners carry the torch from Olympia, the city of the ancient games, to the stadium where the games will be held. This ceremony originated in 1928, when Pierre de Coubertin called on athletes to maintain the flames of the renewed Olympic spirit.
The Olympic circles
The Olympic circles are the sign of the IOC. They are one of the most cherished signs in the world. The sign consists of five interconnected colored circles (in the upper three and two in the lower one) representing five interconnected continents. Connectivity means coexistence, mutual respect and friendship of the nations of the five continents of planet Earth. The colors are precisely defined and used to mean: in the upper row (from left to right): blue - Europe, black - Africa, red - America, yellow - Asia and green Australia with Oceania.
The flag of the IOC
The flag of the IOC is white with the sign of the organization. White symbolizes peace and the ancient Olympic Games, the time in which all wars stopped. The flag was displayed for the first time at the OG in 1920 in Antwerp.
The Olympic motto
The official motto for the Olympic Games is Citius, Altius, Fortius (faster, higher, stronger) and not the motto "It is important to participate and not win".
The Olympic Hymn
The Olympic Hym is the Olympic Ode. The music was written by Spyros Samaras, and the text is by Kostis Palamas. It was first performed at the first games in Athens. For athletes this is a "national anthem".
The Olympic oath
The oath was prepared by P. de Coubertin and athletes first said the words at the 1920 Antilles Olympics.
“In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.«
Athletes and judges also swear at the Winter Olympics since 1968, when the games were held in Ciudad de Mexico.
The name of the Olympiad
The symbol of the Olympic Games is also the four-year cycle of the Olympic Games that is taken after the ancient games. Here we must not confuse the two concepts: the Olympic Games (i.e. the time of the games, usually 14 days) and the Olympics (a cycle of four years, i.e. the time between two Olympic Games).
