The Olympic Games Objectives 1. To identify the importance of the Olympic Games. 2. To identify some important events at the Olympic Games. THE

 The ancient Olympic games were held at Olympia in Greece.

 The games were held as a religious festival in honor of the god Zeus. • The Ancient Plains of Olympia. THE ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES EVENTS • Pentathlon - Discus, Javelin, Jump, Running, Wrestling • – Mix Martial Arts • Boxing • Wrestling • Equestrian events - , Riding • Running How long did the Ancient Olympic Games last for? • 776 B.C. till 393 A.D. Ancient Olympics Events

• Pentathlon – Discus, Javelin, Jump, Running,Wrestling • Pankration • Boxing • Wrestling • Equestrian events – – Riding • Running Pentathlon

• Became an event in 708 B.C. • Consisted of: discus throw, javelin, jumping, running and wrestling • Running contests were: • The stade race (200m) • The (two stades – 400m), • (ranging between 7 and 24 stades) Long Jump

• Athletes used stone or lead weights (halteres) to increase the distance of a jump. The weights are held until the end of their flight, and then jettisoned backwards. Discus Throw

. • Early discus was made of stone. • Later discus were made of iron, lead or bronze • The technique is similar to today’s freestyle discus throw Wrestling

• Highly valued as a form of military exercise without weapons. • It was ended when a contestant admitted defeat. Boxing

•Boxers wrapped straps (himantes) around their hands to strengthen and steady their fingers and wrists. • Initially, these straps were soft. Use of hard leather straps are used, often causing disfigurement to their opponent’s face. Pankration •A primitive form of martial art combining wrestling and boxing. •Considered to be one of the toughest . •Greeks believed that it was founded by Theseus (who defeated the fierce Minotaur in the labyrinth.) Equestrian Events

• Horse races and chariot races. • Took place in , a wide, flat, open space Types of Prizes

• The types of prizes are the highest honor for a mortal to attain an immortal fame of the first mythical heroes. • Winners received crowns made of olive leaves Why were the Games stopped?

• The Roman emperor Theodosius stopped the Ancient Games in 393AD. • Being a Christian he considered the games a pagan festival. Modern Olympics Reintroduction of the Olympic games and why • Pierre de Coubertin • Sporting aspect • Promote international understanding First Modern Olympic Games

• Held in Athens, Greece in 1896. To commemorate Ancient Olympic Games. • The Olympic Games are held every 4 years in different host countries. Modern Olympics motto and its meaning

• Citius, Altius, Fortius – for swifter, higher, stronger • Intended meaning: bettering one's achievements, rather than on coming in first Participation in the first modern Olympic Games • Fourteen (14) nations 245 athletes • Participation in 2012 Olympic Games

• Two hundred and five (205) countries Prizes won in the first Modern Olympics. • Simple tokens, rich in meaning and symbolism. Events in the First Modern Olympic Games

• At this Olympic Games there were 12 track and field events Events in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games • Forty two different sports. IMPORTANT TIMES AT THE GAMES

 1900 (Paris, France) – women were allowed to compete for the first time in the Olympic Games.  1916 (Berlin, Germany)- the games were cancelled because of World War 1.  1940 & 1944 (Tokyo, Japan & Helsinki, Finland)- the games were cancelled because of World War 2. MORE IMPORTANT TIMES AT THE GAMES

 1972 (Munich, Germany)– Israeli athletes and officials were killed.

 1992 (Barcelona, Spain) – South Africa was allowed to compete again.

 1996 (Atlanta, USA) – a bomb exploded despite high security. Olympic Rings / Circles • The Five Rings represents the different inhabited continents of the world involved in the Olympics (North and South America are considered one continent, along with Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe). Olympic Torch

• The Olympic torch is a symbol of the harmony and goodwill which represents the ideas of the Olympic games. Olympic Flames

• Represent the basic spiritual significance of the Olympic Movement. • A symbol of peace among people of the world. ADVANTAGES OF HOSTING THE OLYMPIC GAMES

 It brings prestige to the country.  New sporting facilities are built to host the events.  It may make a profit for the country through the sale of TV rights, tickets etc.  It is good for the local business – shops, hotels, taxis etc. DISADVANTAGES OF HOSTING THE OLYMPIC GAMES  It brings security risks.

 The cost of tickets increase.

 It may bring loses if the event is not planned properly.

 Extra strain is placed on phone systems, transport etc. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNATIONAL

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES 1. It gives players and supporters of 1. Countries compete for gold different countries the chance to to prove that they are better meet. than their enemies. 2. It unites people of different races, 2. It is very expensive, and so cultures and religions. poor countries cannot afford it. 3. It allows the world’s best athletes to compete against each other. 4. It encourages more people to play sport