21st Century Summer Olympics

2000 ~ 2004 ~ 2008

SYDNEY 2000• The Olympics in 2000 was held in Sydney,

Australia• The 2000 Summer Games began with an

impressive opening ceremony that highlighted Australian history from the aboriginal people to the settlers of the outback.

• The opening date was September 15 and continued until the closing date on October 1

• 10,651 athletes from every country except Afghanistan participated in 300 events in the Summer Games.

Sydney 2000

• Also known as the Millennium Games or Games of the New Millennium.

• It was officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad.

• It was the second time that the Summer Olympics were held in the Southern Hemisphere, the first one being in Melbourne in 1956.

Games of the XXVII Olympiad

Host city Sydney, Australia

Motto Share the spirit

Nations participating 199

Athletes participating 10,651(6,582 men, 4,069 women)

Events 300 in 28 sports

Opening Ceremony September 15

Closing ceremony October 1

Officially opened by Governor-General Sir William Denane

Athlete's Oath Rechelle Hawkes

Judge's Oath Peter Kerr

Olympic Torch Cathy Freeman

Stadium Stadium Australia

ATHENS 2004

• The 2004 Summer Olympic Games was officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad.

• It was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece.

• It began on August 13 and ended on August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home.

• 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team officials from 201 countries.

ATHENS 2004

• There were 301 medal events in 28 different sports.

• Athens 2004 marked the first time since the 1996 Summer Olympics that all countries with a National Olympic Committee were in attendance.

• It was also the first time since 1896 that the Olympics were held in Greece.

Games of the XXVIII Olympiad

Ancient victors were crowned with olivewreaths— a tradition echoed

with this Games medalists. The colors ofthe logo come from the flag of Greece.

Host city Athens, GreeceMotto Welcome HomeNations participating 201Athletes participating 10,625Events 301 in 28 sportsOpening ceremony August 13Closing ceremony August 29

Officially opened by President Konstantinos Stephanopoulos

Athlete's Oath Zoi DimoschakiJudge's Oath Lazaros VoreadisOlympic Torch Nikolaos KaklamanakisStadium Olympic Stadium

BEIJING 2008

• The 2008 Summer Olympics was officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

• It was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China.

• The games began on August 8 and finished on August 24, 2008.

• A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 302 events in 28 sports.

• There were 43 new world records and 132 new Olympic records set.

BEIJING 2008

• The United States had the most medals totaling 110; however, the Chinese athletes won the most gold medals totaling 51.

• Michael Phelps broke the records for most gold medals in one Olympics and for most career gold medals for an Olympian by winning eight swimming events.

• Usain Bolt secured the traditional title of "World's Fastest Man" by setting new world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters sprints.

Games of the XXIX Olympiad

The "Dancing Beijing" emblem, depicting a Chinese seal inscribed with the character "Jīng" ( 京 ), from the name

of the host city in the form of a dancing figure.

Host city Beijing, China

Motto 同一个世界 同一个梦想(One World, One Dream)

Nations participating 204 Athletes participating 11,028Events 302 in 28 sportsOpening ceremony August 8Closing ceremony August 24Officially opened by President Hu JintaoAthlete's Oath Zhang YiningJudge's Oath Huang LipingOlympic Torch Li NingStadium Beijing National Stadium

Why are the Olympics important?

• 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. The Games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation is represented. Every two years, the Olympics and its media exposure provide unknown athletes with the chance to attain national or international fame. The Olympics are important because they unite countries of the world. It is not about winning, but about being proud of your country. The Games also constitute a major opportunity for the host city and country to promote and showcase themselves to the world.

Why would this be in a history textbook?

• The Olympic Games began in 776 BC. It is the only event that brings the entire world together, without involving politics. It is a time of unification between countries. The Games bring athletes from all over the world, representing pride for their country, to compete against each other. The Olympics show the different levels of ability athletes can obtain. Many athletes who partake in these events achieve records that will be remembered in history.