Olympic Rings & Flag

olympic protocol Olympic Message This message appears on the scoreboard at every Olympic Games. It is credited to Baron Pierre de Coubertin. However, de Coubertin quoted from a sermon preached by the Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, in St Paul’s Cathedral, London in 1908. Olympic Rings & Flag The Olympic symbol is five rings interconnected with three on the top and two on the bottom. Each ring is a different colour; blue, black, red, yellow and green. At least one of the six colours, including the white background, of the flag appears in all of the flags of the competing nations. Pierre de Coubertin designed this emblem in 1913. The five rings represent the five continents involved in the Olympic Games; Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. The rings are the symbol which appear on the white Olympic flag. The flag first appeared in 1914 in Paris. It flew over an Olympic stadium for the first time in 1920 at the Antwerp Games. Replicas fly over all Olympic venues during an Olympic Games

olympic protocol Olympic Motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” is the motto of the Olympic Games. It means “swifter, higher, stronger” and was created by Father Didon, a friend of Pierre de Coubertin. Olympic Flame The Olympic flame is lit by the rays of the sun in Olympia, Greece and carried in a torch, by a series of runners, to the Opening Ceremony of the Games. Occasionally there is need to transport the flame by air, this is done by keeping the flame in the equivalent of a Davey lamp. The flame is extinguished at the Closing Ceremony. The first torch relay was held in 1936 and for the Olympic Winter Games in 1964. The flame symbolises the endeavour for perfection, the struggle for victory, peace and friendship. Olympic Medals Medals must be at least 60mm in diameter and 3mm in thickness. The first & second place medals must be made of silver, of a fineness of at least 925/1000. The 1st place medal must be gilded containing at least 9g of pure gold.

olympic protocol Olympic Oath At the Opening Ceremony a representative of all the competitors must repeat the following oath: A similar oath is taken on behalf of all referees, officials and judges. “In the name of all competitors, I promise that we will take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and honour of our teams.” Olympic Hymn The Olympic hymn was written by the Greek composer, Spirou Samara and the words were added by Greek musician Cositis Palamas in 1896. The hymn was adopted by the International Olympic Committee in 1958 and is played at all official Olympic ceremonies. click speaker to play hymn

the British Olympic Association Vision “To establish the British Olympic Association as the foremost National Olympic Committee within the Olympic Movement.” Mission “To maximise the potential of Team GB athletes at future Olympic and Olympic Winter Games whilst developing the Olympic Movement in the UK.” Key Objectives  To provide world class services to all who impact on athletic performance at the Olympic and Olympic Winter Games.  To inspire young people to embrace the ideals and values of Olympic sport.  To reflect the levels of excellence associated with the Olympic Games in all aspects of our work.  To improve our position and influence as leaders of elite sport.

the British Olympic Association Objective Contributors To provide world class services to all who impact on athletic performance at the Olympic Games Provide leadership and world class services in the Olympic environment Deliver relevant and focused complimentary services over the entire Olympiad Prioritise service provision based upon impact on performance Engage in regular dialogue with customers to meet their needs To inspire young people to embrace the ideals and values of Olympic sport Fund and develop the work of the Olympic Foundation Utilise Youth Olympics as preparation for future Olympic and Olympic Winter Games Develop and protect the Olympic Movement in the UK

the British Olympic Association Objective Contributors continued… To reflect levels of excellence associated with the Olympic Games in all aspects of our work Develop a company ethos of excellence Recruit, develop and retain capable and motivated staff Address shortcomings and not accept mediocrity To improve our position and influence as leaders of elite sport Provide clear leadership at Olympic Games and on all issues which impact on performance Deliver quality service provision over the Olympiad  Recruit and retain quality staff and elected officials  Maintain an innovative, proactive and flexible approach to service provision Work in collaboration with those operating on both a UK and Home Country level Increase political influence in the UK Increase influence in international sport

the British Olympic Association History The British Olympic Association (BOA) was formed at a meeting at the House of Commons on 24 May 1905. Lord Desborough was the first Chairman. The Association included representatives of the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing, athletics, rugby, football and archery. All of these sports had governing bodies or clubs at the time. Ever-Present Great Britain is one of only 5 countries which has never failed to be represented at the Olympic Games since 1896: Australia, France, Greece and Switzerland being the others. Of these, only France, Great Britain and Switzerland have also been present at all Olympic Winter Games. The BOA has assisted in hosting 2 Olympic Games in 1908 & 1948, and will also assist with the hosting of the Games in 2012. Team GB The team that the BOA sends to the Olympic Games is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team - known as Team GB. As such the BOA represents Great Britain (England, Wales & Scotland), Northern Ireland, crown dependent territories (including the Isle of Man) and certain British overseas territories. The BOA is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a National Olympic Committee (NOC). The Olympic Charter states that only independent states recognised by the international community can be recognised by the IOC as NOCs. As such, any athlete reaching the necessary selection standards from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and any British overseas independent territory which presently doesn’t have its own NOC would be eligible to compete as members of Team GB.

the International Olympic Committee The supreme authority of the Olympic Movement is the International Olympic Committee. However, within the Movement there are three main elements:  The International Olympic Committee (IOC)  The International Sports Federations (IFs); and  The National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Their individual responsibilities are set out in the Olympic Charter which is published every year. The role of the IOC is: “to encourage and support the promotion of ethics in sport as well as education of youth through sport and to dedicate its efforts to ensuring that, in sport, the spirit of fair play prevails and violence is banned; to encourage and support the organisation, development and coordination of sport and sports competitions; to ensure the regular celebration of the Olympic Games; to cooperate with the competent public or private organisations and authorities in the endeavor to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace; to take action in order to strengthen the unity and to protect the independence of the Olympic Movement; to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures with a view to implementing the principle of equality of men and women; to lead the fight against doping in sport; to encourage and support measures protecting the health of athletes; to oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes; to encourage and support the efforts of sports organisations and public authorities to provide for the social and professional future of athletes; to encourage and support the development of sport for all; to encourage and support a responsible concern for environmental issues, to promote sustainable development in sport and to require that the Olympic Games are held accordingly; to promote a positive legacy from the Olympic Games to the host cities and host countries; to encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education; to encourage and support the activities of the International Olympic Academy and other institutions which dedicate themselves to Olympic education.” International Olympic Committee, ‘Role of the IOC’ in Olympic Charter

the International Olympic Committee Structure The new members are selected by the current IOC members. They must be nationals of the country in which they have their domicile and the country must have a National Olympic Committee recognised by the IOC. Furthermore, they must speak either English or French - the official languages of the IOC. The President is elected by the members by secret ballot for an initial 8 year term. He/she may be re-elected for a successive four-year term. The IOC’s affairs are managed by the Executive Board by controlling the administration and organisational structure, ensuring the observance of the Olympic Charter and approval of the annual budget etc. Any proposals made by the Executive Board must be approved by the General Assembly of the Members - the IOC Session. The Session may delegate powers to the Executive Board. The administration is guided by the President and the Executive Board. The Director General heads the administration team of directors in charge of fundamental departments such as; Sport, Finance, Marketing, Legal Affairs, Information Management, Olympic Games, Communications and the Olympic Museum. Members The three IOC members who reside in the UK are HRH, The Princess Royal, President of the British Olympic Association (BOA), Sir Craig Reedie, Executive Vice-President of the BOA, and Sir Philip Craven MBE, President of the International Paralympic Committee. There is also one Honorary IOC member, Dame Mary Glen Haig, DBE.

the International Olympic Committee Funding The only source of financial support the IOC receives is private funding. This is mainly from the sale of television rights and marketing programmes. The IOC distributes 92% of the revenue generated by the marketing of Olympic properties. The Olympic Games have seen tremendous growth in broadcast coverage over the past 20yrs maintaining the IOC’s policy that all television agreements be based on free-to-air broadcasting with viewing for all. From 1984 until 2008 the IOC has contracted agreements worth more than US$10 billion. Sponsorship has also become another major source of revenue for the Olympic Movement contributing more than 40% of Olympic marketing revenue. In 1985 the IOC created The Olympic Partner Programme (TOP) which is the only sponsorship with the exclusive worldwide rights to both winter and summer Games. TOP companies receive exclusive marketing rights and opportunities within their designated product category. They also receive use of all Olympic imagery, hospitality opportunities at the Games, direct advertising and promotional opportunities and ambush marketing protection.

www.ge.com www.jnj.com www.atosorigin.com www.coke.com www.kodak.com www.lenovo.com www.manulife.com www.mcdonalds.com www.visa.com www.omega.ch www.panasonic.co.uk www.samsung.com the International Olympic Committee TOP Sponsors

the International Olympic Committee Commissions To facilitate the work of the IOC in specific areas, special working groups, known as Commissions are appointed by the President. The commissions have an advisory function. Their activities are defined by the President. Some of the commissions are as follows: Athletes, Ethics, Finance, Marketing, Medical, Solidarity, Sport for All, Sport and Law, TV Rights & New Media, and Women & Sport. Contact Details International Olympic Committee Chateau de Vidy Case Postal 356 1007 Lausanne Tel: 00 4121 621 6111 Switzerland Fax: 00 4121 621 6216 Click here for IOC website

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LOCOG Official Reports London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Download the Official Reports from the Olympic Games further information Click on any of the following organisations to be taken to their website for further information British Olympic Association Centre for Olympic Studies & Research International Olympic Committee Wenlock Olympian Society British Paralympic Association World Anti-Doping Agency International Paralympic Committee UK Sport

Olympic Rings & Flag