The Olympic Games

1. The Olympic Games Ancient Games • Always held in Greece at Olympia. • It was the festival held in honor of Zeus. This festival would last several days. • The games were held every 4 years. The participants would be from the city-states of Greece. • The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. and ended in 394 A.D. • All participants had to take an oath. • free-born Greeks • obey the rules of the games • prove citizenship • follow the rules of training and dieting • Clothes were not worn by the participants. • Women were not allowed to attend or participate.

2. Ancient Olympic Events • Games would begin with footraces. • Chariot races would end the games. • Relays • Real torches were used. • If the flame went out, you lost. • Boxing • No biting. • No gouging out the eyes. • No other rules. • A Few Other Events • Javelin • Music • Public speaking and theater • Prize • An olive branch worn on the head. • Great honor • Possible statue would be made or you could have stories written about you.

3. Modern Olympics • We have Summer and Winter Games • Games will take place every 4 years for Summer with years being divisible by 4. • Examples 2012, 2016, 2020 • Games will take place every 4 years for Winterbut the numbers are not divisible by 4. • Examples: 2014, 2018, 2022 • The Summer and Winter Games used to be the same year until 1994 and then they were separated. • Games are held throughout the world. Cities are nominated to host the Olympic games and then a committee votes on the location. • Must be able to accommodate not only the games but the people too • It is a great honor.

4. Olympic Rings The five rings represent the five major regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The colors of the five rings and the white background represent all the nations participating in the Olympics. Every national flag in the world includes at least one of the five colors, which are blue, yellow, black, green, red. They are linked to show togetherness and unity.