KEEP TALKING THE DEFINITE ARTICLE VIA ROMA 60 33100 UDINE I S S U E 3 7 SUMMER 2012 0432 501252

S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F INTEREST:

 Kip Talking  Two Olympic Sport Is An Art by Maurizio Costantini Quizzes!

 The Prize Article I love football, and that’s an idol, for a colour, for a victory depends on just a  London 2012 because you can see 11 country, the Olympics are single sportsperson. Facts players organized a sort of global So the more victories are together in order to competition in order to gained by the Italian team,  And many more create a show for people establish which are the the more honours and interesting who consider football as a values in the world of world respect we will get! articles from you kind of art like sculpture, every single country. Yes, What is even more painting, dance, theatre because the results are amazing to me is that the INSIDE THIS and cinema. the mirror of the country. result of 4 years of ISSUE: The are The more you are able to preparation and training Sport Is An Art 1 the highest point of all organize your team from depends on just one day! this! childhood at school, the Good luck ! Kip Talking 1 They should be a show better performances you involving every country in will reach. The Ancient 2 the whole world, but for Where a country Olympics fans that are interested in is not well Not the Triumph 2 sport with a passion for organized the but the Struggle

A Promise for 3 London 2012

All Spectacle and 3 No Athletics Kip Talking The Italian team at the Opening Ceremony in Beijing 2008 Politics and 4 Intrigue A Good 5 I remember my parents but today the medals table with the same nickname. Example? taking me to see Tokyo shows that we won 4, KIP Keino was the first Olympiad, a wonderful against the USA’s 36 and African to make a Are the Games 5 documentary film about the Italy’s 10! I had a brief real impact on world Profitable? 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the athletics career as a member athletics and started a long The Olympics 6 first to be televised of South London Harriers line of African successes in and their Simple internationally. It was a and captain of the school Olympic competitions. But magical experience for an athletics team but I was the similarity ends at the The Olympic 6 8-year-old, with always much better at name – dark skin, speed, Spirit extraordinary images of watching than doing! elegance, all things which I heroic achievements and But I have another claim to don’t possess. Even his 7 such pretty theme music. I fame: in the late 60s and 70s name meant ‘born near the Olympic 8 was convinced that Great there was a great Kenyan granary’ which was a bit Symbols Britain had done brilliantly middle/long-distance runner different from my origins! P A G E 2 The Ancient Olympics

The Olympic Games because the Olympic of olive branches, they is a series of sports games were celebrated were supported by their events which takes in honour of Zeus. All city for all their lives and place every four free men speaking the they were immortalized years in different Greek language, coming in poems and statues. nations of the world. from all the cities of The situation changed They are a symbol of Greece and its colonies when the Romans peace and could participate. Slaves invaded Greece and brotherhood, and women could not gained power and represented by the participate, and neither influence, and when Olympic Flag: five could women be Christianity became the The first Olympic interlinked rings of spectators, maybe official religion. In 393 games consisted of different colours, to because men competed P.C., Emperor only one event—a represent the unity of completely naked. The Theodosius I banned the running race. the five continents: blue Olympic Games were Olympic Games as they for Oceania, black for appreciated because were considered a Africa, for America, they unified the pagan practice. yellow for Asia and population. If there After 15 centuries, in London 2012 green for Europe. These were wars, truces were 1896, thanks to Pierre Fact: colours were chosen signed to allow athletes de Coubertin, the because every nation to participate. Olympic Games 205 nations had at least one of them Like today, there were returned with other are expected in its national flag… but opening, closing and rules, for example to take part in I won’t talk about the prize-giving ceremonies. athletes from all around 300 events at modern Olympic games Initially, there was only the world can the Olympic but about their history. one race (the stadion) participate (and since Games in The Olympic games then, other games were 1900 women too), the 2012. 147 were born in the introduced: another event takes place in nations will Olympia Valley in race (twice the distance different countries of take part in Greece and the first of the stadion), the world not only in the Paralympic event recorded was in wrestling, jumping, Greece… but we can Games. 776 B. C. (the year in javelin throwing, and so talk about this next which the Greek on. The winners became time. calendar started). It was legendary - they a religious celebration, received a crown made Mara Blasutto Not the Triumph but the Struggle Pierre de Coubertin, the I think that his famous have fought well.” father of the modern quote: Olympic games, was is one of the most important inspired by archaeological “The most important lessons, and not only for sport. explorations of ancient thing in the Olympic In my opinion, keeping this quote Greece. He believed in the Games is not to win but in mind is good exercise for a importance of physical to take part, just as the positively competitive approach education and saw the most important thing in to any field, such as sport, advantages of restoring the life is not the triumph school, work, research, Olympic Games as an but the struggle. The innovation and so on. international event essential thing is not to promoting world peace. have conquered but to by Fabrizio Redavid

THE DEFINITE ARTICLE I S S U E 3 7 P A G E 3 A Promise To Watch London 2012 I’m ashamed to admit that I about the Olympics I they have the right reward… don’t know anything about imagine only the athletic some days of glory! the Olympics. I have never events. The attention of the mass taken an interest in media to the Olympics is watching the games on TV limited to a specific period or reading about them in unfortunately. Football is the the newspapers. Neither only sport which is promoted have I ever wanted to on TV, radio, the internet organize a long journey to and in newspapers all year be present live at the round. Olympic games. I promise you that I’ll follow There are the winter the “London 2012 Olympics” Olympics too but I don’t in order to avoid making such know when or where they are taking place next time. a fool of myself again. Maybe because I’m not a sportswoman! I played The London 2012 logo by Laura Buttolo volleyball when I was a child and now I usually go walking Is it right that a lot of London 2012 Fact: in my free time. money is spent on this Frankly speaking I don’t event because the athletes This is the third time that know exactly which sports dedicate many years of their London has hosted the Olympic are played during the lives and they always make Games. The previous two were Olympics. When I think big sacrifices? In this way in 1908 and 1948.

All Spectacle and No Athletics

I’m no fan of sport and I subways, clearing the city of spectacle especially dislike looking at litter, assigning hidden areas than the other people doing sport. I to hide the poverty. athletic find it boring. I hate it when After spending years perfor- business revolves around beautifying the country, the mances. For sport, so the Olympic opening day of the Olympic example, the Games are not the right Games must be a Italian entertainment for me. memorable event with champion A highlight from the The competition begins music, dances, lights, Federica Pellegrini may opening ceremony for the several years before the pyrotechnics and not be the flag bearer Beijing Olympics in 2008 great event, when a country spectacular choreography. for Italy in the opening has to be chosen to host Up to this point, nothing to ceremony because she can't the games. Then the do with sport happens. remain standing for 8 hours country has to be prepared The better the box, the the day before her race. for receiving thousands of worse the content, in my PRIZE visitors, by enlarging the opinion. Massimo Matassoni streets, building new The Olympic Committee ARTICLE! railways, speeding up the thinks more about the P A G E 4 Politics and Intrigue—An Olympic History by Flavio Lorenzon

At the 1936 Olympics in and other “Non- Berlin the Afro-American Aryans” was Needless to say, the modern athlete Jessie Owens already public Olympic Games have nothing in achieved international knowledge common with the true spirit of fame by winning four gold before the sport at the time of ancient medals over a period of beginning of Greece. Nowadays, only winning just seven days. It was those Olympics, alleged that Hitler snubbed which were matters and whoever finishes Owens’ award ceremonies widely used by behind the winner is soon because of the colour of the Nazi forgotten. Another difference is the Jesse Owens his skin. Whatever the government for impact that political issues accepting one of his four gold truth, ’s open propaganda frequently have on the modern medals at the discrimination against Jews purposes. Olympics. In fact, during the ancient games in Olympia the Greek cities suspended their war, whereas in contrast, it was the Completely opposing both raised Olympics that were suspended reasons were behind the one fist with during the two World Wars. In case of the “black power a black- addition, the modern Olympic salute” at the 1968 gloved hand, Games have often been exploited Olympics in Mexico the to advance political ends through City. Tommie Smith won traditional the 200m race and his black power acts of terrorism, protest and teammate John Carlos salute, in boycott. Of course, this also finished in third position. order to reflects the fact that nowadays this When the two Afro- protest sporting event captures worldwide American athletes went to against media attention. I want here to the podium they made the racial mention just some of the most so called “raised-fist” discrimin- famous political cases that Tommie Smith and gesture. They received ation and to have happened during the so- their medals shoeless and claim more human John Carlos raise the black power salute at called modern Olympics. wearing black socks. They rights for black people. the 1968 Olympics.

However, the most tragic and one German police and Canada. The United event remains the officer. Five members of Kingdom, France and Australia massacre, which took place Black September were killed supported the boycott but during the 1972 Olympics and the three surviving allowed their athletes to in Germany. Members of terrorists were captured. participate if they wished. the Israeli Olympic team More recently there have Those Olympics were severely were taken hostage by a been important boycotts that affected by the lack of Palestinian group called undermined the participation prestigious athletes, and in “Black September”. In return in two consecutive Olympic response to the boycott, for releasing their hostages, Games. In 1979 Soviet troops fourteen Eastern Bloc the terrorists demanded the invaded and occupied countries, including the Soviet release of several Palestinian Afghanistan, an occupation Union, Cuba and East prisoners held in Israeli jails. which lasted a decade. In Germany, boycotted the Eventually, West German reaction against the invasion, following 1984 Olympic Games soldiers carried out a failed the President of the U.S.A., that took place in Los Angeles.

Black September rescue attempt, during which Jimmy Carter, decided to Curiously, the ambiguity of terrorists marr events the kidnappers killed eleven boycott the 1980 Olympic politics is such that Afghanistan at the 1972 Olympics. Israeli athletes and coaches Games in Moscow. Many has been occupied since 2002 countries joined the U.S.A., by foreign troops, but no one including Japan, West is going to boycott London THE DEFINITE ARTICLE Germany, China, Argentina 2012. I S S U E 3 7 P A G E 5 A Good Example?

I think sport in general also a great exception, well with your partner. should promote a healthy however, represented by Although I’m not that and moral lifestyle for Pistorius, who fights against crazy about Olympic children. I usually go his handicap. sports, when I start to running near a football field Other sports could be and I hear too much included in the Olympics, watch some swearing and blasphemy, so like dancing. For example, competitions, I enjoy it I think that the Olympics ballroom dancing and Latin and I hope that Olympic Games could be the right American dancing are athletes do their very way to give some great beautiful and very difficult best. examples, but it doesn’t to perform. You have to often happen. Instead of improve your moves and Fabio Plazzotta this, the Olympic Games get the right rhythm, and are marred by doping and the music is good. You have Oscar Pistorius competing in the economic interests. There’s to smile and get on very Golden Gala in Rome Quiz 1— Summer Olympic Mascots

- but which games Answers on and what year? the back page. Are the Olympics Profitable? Are the Olympic Games read an amusing quote from profitable? This is an the sports economist Victor important question. The Matheson who said: ” I liken Olympics are a wonderful these events to a show, but they are often wedding… if you are the very expensive for the father of the bride you are country where the games not making any money, but are organized. The cost of that doesn’t mean you the Olympics is high, but shouldn’t have the the economic impact of celebration”. The economic impact of these these sporting events rarely sporting events rarely pans out pans out in reality. I have Alessandra Deusciti in reality P A G E 6 The Summer and Winter Olympics and their Simple Rules

The Olympic games, which the spirit of friendship. blades ruined, and the are in summer or in Between the competitions, athlete could have an awful winter, have only a few friendships are established result. rules to respect and they between athletes of Finally, I repeat that the are: honesty, different countries, whose Olympic games should be sportsmanship and states are not always at based on the three friendship. peace but sometimes at principles of honesty, Honesty is based on war for many reasons. sportsmanship and fighting doping and The difference between friendship, because the inappropriate use of the Olympics games in athletes could participate performance-enhancing summer and in winter is at most for only two or “In summer the drugs. very easy. In summer the three editions due to the queen of sports is Sportsmanship; in every queen of sports is simple matter of age and a competition the human athletics, where the decline in their athletics, where body is transformed, athletes compete with performance. Only in a because the athletes have their muscles and without few cases are there the athletes to do many hours of any other equipment in “wonder athletes” that training and push their disciplines such as wind- have participated in more compete with body to the limits. They surfing, fencing, cycling, than four competitions, their muscles and are like strong iron shooting, and so on. such as Iosefa Idem in machines. Unfortunately In winter the real stars are kayaking, Valentina Vezzali without any other there is only one winner in the snow and ice and the in fencing, and Alessandra each discipline and athletes have to use Sensini in surfing. equipment .” sportsmanship involves different equipment to In the end I wish everyone accepting that you came take part their much enjoyment in second, third, fourth, and competitions. Sometimes watching the games, and so on, and not arguing the equipment is more hope their idols do well! about losing the match or important than the game. performance of the Walter Temporini The most fantastic aspect athletes, for example the of the Olympics, which top champion could have happen every four years in bad equipment, for the summer and winter, is example skis with their The Olympic Spirit A perfect confusion of When I a game with me to thinking about the colours—the was a child memorise the national Olympics Games I see official poster I watched flags. Blue, red, white or only a perfect confusion for the 1912 the black, red, yellow or red of colors. For me, this is Olympics with a white cross… I the Olympic Spirit. Olympics in Games thought it was Men, nations, religions, Stockholm with my impossible. There were cultures are a perfect father on many sequences of confusion of colors. the sofa. colors. Now I know He played many flags, but when I’m Roberto Scapinello

THE DEFINITE ARTICLE I S S U E 3 7 P A G E 7 Inside Story Headline is convinced that the During the Games he broke athletes of his country, the many world and Olympic host country, Germany, records and defeated the belonging to the Aryan German Luz Long in a very London 2012 race, will excel in all close final. Those Fact: competitions of the two athletes became great Olympic Games. friends. The great On the racetrack, a young His record of four gold medals majority of the African American J.C. in one Olympics in athletics 2012 Olympic Owens, known as Jesse, was equalled only in 1984 in and Paralympic runs as he has learned, Los Angeles, by his fellow Games will be training himself in the sport countryman Carl Lewis, who held in the Old he chose because he could won four golds in the same practise it without any competitions. Park in expensive equipment. In the memory of many people Stratford, East Athletics. and certainly in mine, the black London, but Owens races and wins. By man is still running. For the some events Jesse Owens and Luz Long the end of the Games his man with the moustache, will also be held share a joke at the 1936 medals number four, and all of however, time soon ran out. in other venues Olympic Games them are made of the most Owens went on to win many across London precious metal. races, Hitler’s vision of a On the terraces of the and the UK Four gold medals — in the 100 superior race was thankfully (England, grandstand, meters, the 200 meters, the never realized. Scotland and the man with the moustache, long jump and the 4 x 100m dressed in a soldier’s uniform, relay. Sandro Scaini Wales).

Quiz 2 — London 2012 Olympic Pictograms

A pictogram is basically a pictorial representation of a concept. They were first used to represent sports at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Because it’s a visual language, it’s recognizable by anyone, whatever their native tongue.

But do you know the English names for the sports represented here? The answers are given in the box.

Modern Pentathlon. Modern

Football, Taekwondo, Taekwondo, Football,

Show Jumping, Fencing, Fencing, Jumping, Show

– Equestrian Country, Cross

– Equestrian Weightlifting,

Shooting, Table Tennis, Judo, Judo, Tennis, Table Shooting,

Dressage, Dressage, - Equestrian

Track, Track, – Cycling Road,

- Cycling Bike, Mountain

– Cycling Sailing, Volleyball,

Triathlon, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball, Beach Triathlon,

BMX, BMX, – Cycling Canoe,

Slalom, Slalom, - Canoe , Boxing

Wrestling, Rowing, Tennis, Tennis, Rowing, Wrestling,

Basketball, Hockey, Hockey, Basketball,

Archery, Sprint, Badminton, Badminton, Sprint, Archery,

Trampoline, Handball, Handball, Trampoline,

Rhythmic, Rhythmic, - Gymnastics

Artistic Artistic - Gymnastics

Swimming, Water Polo, Polo, Water Swimming,

Swimming, Synchronised Synchronised Swimming,

Diving, Diving, Answers: by Cristiana Ballico

Speaking about the Olympic but very well-known, is the The last runner is often kept Games, we have to famous quote by De secret up to the last moment. remember different symbols, Coubertin: " The most He (or she) is usually a all of them inspired by De important thing in the Olympic famous sportsman from the Coubertin’s ideas and Games is not to win but to take country hosting the Games. principles. part, just as the most important He uses the Olympic torch thing in life is not the triumph to light a fire in a large Maybe the flag is the most but the struggle. The essential brazier, which burns famous: Baron de Coubertin thing is not to have conquered throughout the games. The designed it in 1913; it has five but to have fought well”. flame is extinguished during the closing ceremony. There The Olympic flame has a was no torch relay in the tradition which began during ancient Olympics: the first the ancient Olympic Games, took place at the 1936 games in Berlin, Germany. A new Olympic torch is designed for each of the games.

Olympic Medals: at the interlocking rings (blue, Ancient Olympics, a wreath yellow, black, green, and red) of olive branches was placed on a white background. The on the winner's head. At the rings represent the five modern Olympics, the continents - Africa, America, winner receives a gold (first Asia, Australia and Europe. place), silver (second) or The interlocking of the rings represents the universality of the Olympic spirit. The five different colors were present over 2700 years ago in in the flags of all the nations Greece. A flame was lit for of the world at the moment each Olympics, every four they were selected. The years, and it burned combination of the colors throughout the games, therefore symbolizes all the symbolizing the death and countries in the games. rebirth of Greek heroes. For each Olympics, a new The official Olympic motto flame is lit in the ancient is "Citius, Altius, Fortius", a Greek Olympic stadium, using a parabolic mirror to focus the rays of the sun. The bronze (third) medal. flame is taken to the country Different medals are designed where the games will be held for each new Olympics. (usually by plane) and it is Certificates called “victory then carried around by diplomas” are also given to members of the public (called many top winners in each “tedofori”) running, walking, sport. on horseback, or using other means. Latin expression that means "faster, taller, stronger." Mascot Quiz Answers: 1. Daschund dog ‘’, Munich 1972; 2. Another motto, not official Beaver ‘’, 1976; 3. Bear cub ‘’, Moscow 1980; 4. Bald eagle ‘’, Los Angeles 1984; 5. Tiger ‘’, Seoul 1988; 6. Sheepdog ‘Cobi’, Barcelona 1992; 7. ‘’, Atlanta 1996; 8. ‘Olly’ the Kookaburra, ‘Syd’ the platypus and ‘Millie’ the echidna, Sydney 2000; 9. Children ‘Athena and Phevos’, Athens 2004, 10. the ‘Friendlies’, Beijing 2008.