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Origins of the Olympic games

The Olympic games were created by Heracles – a famous hero of Greek mythology.

In 776 B.C. they were reinstated by King Iphitos , a descendent of Hercules. He introduced the games to prevent internal wars and imposed the institution ofthe Olympic truce – meaning that, even during a war, soldiers had to stop fighting for a month before and for the duration of the Games.

Where were the first Olympic Games held?

The first Olympics, were held atOlympia in Greece.

Photos : (top) model of layout of Zeus’ Sanctuary; (bottom) gateway to stadium Photo credit: Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

Olympia was a sanctuary dedicated in honor of Zeus, the father of all Greek Gods and Goddesses. The gameswere part of a religious festivaldedicated to Zeus.

The games played an additional role in showing the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece.

OlympiaOlympia

Who could compete in the Olympics?Who could compete in the Olympics?

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• Free-born Greeks and those who spoke Greek

• Separate men’s and boys’ divisions

• Divisions based on age and physical size and strength

• NO WOMEN (married women could not even watch)

• People from all over the Greek world came to participate and watch the games.

Training for the Games

• Much like athletes of today, athletes from Ancient Greece took the Olympic Games very seriously. Winning the Olympics meant recognition and respect.

• Training began in childhood but training specifically for the Olympics began ten months before the start of the games. One month before the start of the Games, the athlete would arrive and train in one of the arenas.

• Judges picked those who would actually be allowed to compete.

Events of the Ancient OlympicsEvents of the Ancient OlympicsPentathlon - a 5-event combination of discus, javelin, jumping, running and wrestling

The discus was made of stone, iron, bronze, or lead, and was shaped like a flying saucer. Sizes varied, since the boys' division was not expected to throw the same weight as the mens'.

Discus

The javelin was a man-high length of wood, with either a sharpened end or an attached metal point. It had a thong for a hurler's fingers attached to its center of gravity, which increased the precision and distance of a javelin's flight.

Javelin

Athletes used lead or stone jump weights (halteres) shaped like telephone receivers to increase the length of their jump.

Jumping

Running

Running contests included:

• the Stade race, which was the pre-eminent test of speed, covering the Olympia track (200m) from one end to the other• the Diaulos – a 400m race.• the Dolichos - a long-distance run which ranged between 7 and 24 stades.

Left: The running track at Olympia

Other events included:

Equestrian events: 2-horse and 4-horse chariot races, with separate races for chariots drawn by foals. Another race was between carts drawn by a team of 2 mules. The course was 12 laps around the stadium track (9 miles).

Pankration : This event was a grueling combination of boxing and wrestling. Punches were allowed, although the fighters did not wrap their hands with the boxing himantes. Rules outlawed only biting and gouging an opponent's eyes, nose, or mouth with fingernails. Attacks such as kicking an opponent in the belly, which are against the rules in modern sports, were perfectly legal. Although this sport is still practiced today it is no longer included in the Games.

Boxing - Ancient boxing had fewer rules than the modern sport. Boxers fought without rounds until one man was knocked out, or admitted he had been beaten. Unlike the modern sport, there was no rule against hitting an opponent when he was down.

What prizes did Olympic victors get?What prizes did Olympic victors get?

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The ancient Olympiads competed as individuals. 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. The herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland and would then place the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner's head.

According to Greek Mythology, Apollo, the Olympian God and son of Zeus, was in love with a nymph named Daphne. Daphne fled from Apollo, asking the river God for help; she turned into a Bay Laurel tree just as Apollo approached her. Apollo embraced the tree, cut off a branch to wear as a wreath and declared the plant sacred.

Thus, this myth spurred the presentation of the laurel wreaths, in honor of Apollo, to the victors of these games.

The Olympic games were held every four years for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed In 393 A.D. that all such "pagan cults" be banned.

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The first modern Olympic games were held in Athens, Greece in April 1896. They attracted athletes from 12 nations.

Only 42 events in 9 sports were scheduled for these games.

The Modern Olympic Games

Some of the cities that have hosted the modern Olympics

The selection of a city to host each Olympics, winter or summer, is

made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are

awarded to winners of each event.

The Modern Olympic flag of five linked rings, each

with a primary color used in the flags of the nations competing in the games, was introduced in 1908.

The idea of the Olympic torch or

Olympic Flame was first inaugurated in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. There was no torch relay in the ancient Olympic

Games.

Today participants take part in over 400 different events

Your TaskYour Task

1. Design TWO posters:• One poster to advertise the ancient Olympics.• One poster to advertise the modern Olympics.Your poster must include:Your poster must include:• The sports that are played• Where the Olympics are held?• Who can compete

2. Plan and design your own mini Olympic games.

After learning about the ancient and modern Olympics, work in pairs to: