The Games and religion

Olympic Games

For the 776 ВС to AD 393 Games see Ancient Olympic Games. For the 1612 revival see Cotswold Games. For the most recent Games in Beijing, see 2008 Summer Olympics. For the upcoming Games in Vancouver, see 2010 Winter Olympics.

Olympic Games

1) Ancient Olympic Games 2) Summer Olympic Games 3)Winter Olympic Games 4)Paralympic Games 5)Youth Olympic Games

•Charter • IOC •NOCs • Symbols Sports • Competitors •Medal tables • Medalists

The Olympic Games are a major international event of summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes compete in a wide variety of events. The Games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century ВС to the 5th century AD. In the late 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin was inspired by Olympic festivals to revive the Games. For this purpose, he founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, and two years later, the modern Olympic Games were established in Athens. The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement, whose structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter.

The evolution of the Olympic Movement during the 20th century forced the IOC to adapt the Games to the world's changing social circumstances. Some of these adjustments included the creation of the Winter Games for ice and snow sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with physical disabilities, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes. The IOC also had to accommodate the Games to the varying economical, political, and technological realities of the 20th century. As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin, to allow participation of professional athletes. The growing importance of the mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialization of the Games.

The Olympic Movement currently comprises international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizing committees for each specific Olympic Games. As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games. The host city is responsible for organizing and funding a celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at each Olympic Games, is also determined by the IOC. The celebration of the Games encompasses many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. There are over 13,000 athletes that compete at the Summer and Winter Olympics in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events. The first, second, and third place finishers in each event receive gold, silver or bronze Olympic medals, respectively.

The Games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation is represented. Such growth has created numerous challenges, including boycotts, doping, bribery of officials, and terrorism. Every two years, the Olympics and its media exposure provide unknown athletes with the chance to attain national, and in particular cases, international fame. The Games also constitute a major opportunity for the host city and country to promote and showcase themselves to the world.

Contents

1 Ancient Olympics

2 Modern Games

2.1 Forerunners and revival 2.2 Re-introduction 2.3 Changes and adaptations

2.3.1 Winter Games 2.3.2 Paralympics 2.3.3 Youth Games 2.4 Recent games

3 International Olympic Committee 3.1 Criticism

4 Commercialization 4.1 Budget

What are the Games-1 ?

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the biggest and most prestigious sporting event in the world, eagerly awaited by millions of sports fans.

The Games take place once every four years and their organization is a great honor as well as a great responsibility.

One of the key elements of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the legacy that they leave behind for the host city and country as well as for the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Bringing together countries and continents, the Games contribute to the spreading of Olympic and Paralympic values throughout the world.

The preparation for and hosting of the Olympic Games are governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The preparation for and hosting of the Paralympic Games are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

In 2000, an Agreement of Co-operation was signed by the IPC and IOC, which outlined the principles of the further relationships between the two organizations. A year later, they introduced the practice of "one bid, one city", meaning that a bid to host the Olympic Games automatically extends to the Paralympics. Furthermore, the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be carried in the same venues by one Organizing Committee.

The Sochi 2014 Games

The XXII Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi will be Russia's first ever Winter Games.

Sochi won the right to host the Winter Games at the 119th IOC session in Guatemala in 2007. Candidate cities who competed against Sochi for the right to host the Winter Games were Pyeongchang (South Korea), Salzburg (Austria), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Borjomi (Georgia), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Jaca (Spain).

The Olympic Games will be held from February 7-23,2014, The Paralympic Games will be held from March 7 - 16,2014.

According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 ВС. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such "pagan cults" be banned.

Olympia

Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty. Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it.

The Games and religion

The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.

Victory Ceremonies

The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.

The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner's head.

The ancient Olympic Games were initially a one-day event until 684 ВС, when they were extended to three days. In the 5th century B.C., the Games were extended again to cover five days.

The ancient Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration and equestrian events.

Pentathlon

The Pentathlon became an Olympic sport with the addition of wrestling in 708 B.C., and eluded the following:

Running/ Jumping / Discus Throw

Running

Running contests included:

· the stade race, which was the pre-eminent test of speed, covering the Olympia track from one end to the other (200m foot race),

· the diaulos (two stades - 400m foot race),

· dolichos (ranging between 7 and 24 stades).

Jumping

Athletes used stone or lead weights called halteres to increase the distance of a jump. They held onto the weights until the end of their flight, and then jettisoned them backwards.

Discus throw

The discus was originally made of stone and later of iron, lead or bronze. The technique was very similar to today's freestyle discus throw.

Wrestling

This was highly valued as a form of military exercise without weapons. It ended only when one of the contestants admitted defeat.

Boxing

Boxers wrapped straps (himantes) around their hands to strengthen their wrists and steady their fingers. Initially, these straps were soft but, as time progressed, boxers started using hard leather straps, often causing disfigurement of their opponent's face.

Pankration

This was a primitive form of martial art combining wrestling and boxing, and was considered to be one of the toughest sports. Greeks believed that it was founded by Theseus when he defeated the fierce Minotaur in the labyrinth.

Equestrian events

These included horse races and chariot races and took place in the Hippodrome, a wide, flat, open space.

Preamble

Modem Olympism was conceived by Pierre de Coubertin, on whose initiative the International Athletic Congress of Paris was held in June 1894. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) constituted itself on 23 June 1894. The first Olympic Games (Games of the Olympiad) of modern times were celebrated in Athens, Greece, in 1896. In 1914, the Olympic flag presented by Pierre de Coubertin at the Paris Congress was adopted. It includes the five interlaced rings, which represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. The first Olympic Winter Games were celebrated in Chamonix, France, in 1924.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 971