Olympic Games

No doubt the majority of people around the world recognize this flag which represent the Olympic Games, but
how much do we know about the history of this mega sports event…

The Olympic Rings

Was first presented 1913 released 1914 and was first hoisted in Summer Olympic
Games 1920 in Belgium, the five rings represent the world’s five continents
Europe, Asia, Africa, The Americas, and Oceania. “Olympic.org”

The colors of the rings together with the white of the background included the colors
composing every competing nation's flag at the time. Upon its initial introduction, Coubertin stated the following
in the August 1913 edition of Olympique. Lennartz, Karl (2002). "The Story of the Rings".

The ancient Olympic Games were primarily a part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the
Greek gods and goddesses. The festival and the games were held in Olympia “City in Greece”.

Although the ancient Games were staged in Olympia, Greece,

from 776 BC through 393 AD, it took 1503 years for the Olympics
to return. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece,
in 1896. The man responsible for its rebirth was a Frenchman
named Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who presented the idea in
1894. His original thought was to unveil the modern Games in
1900 in his native Paris, but delegates from 34 countries were so
enthralled with the concept that they convinced him to move the
Games up to 1896 and have Athens serve as the first host.
“Penn.museum”

The ancient Olympic Games were initially a one-day event until 684 BC, 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. “Olympic.org”

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

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). “Olympic.org”

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. “Olympic.org”

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The discus was originally made of stone and later of iron, lead or bronze.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. “Olympic.org”

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

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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. “Olympic.org”

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. “Olympic.org”

EQUESTRIAN EVENTS
These included horse races and chariot races and
took place in the Hippodrome, a wide, flat, open
space. “Olympic.org”

Sports of modern Olympic Games

At the first Olympic Games in 1896, there were nine sports contested. Since that time the program has been
changed a lot. Only five sports have been contested at every summer Olympic Games since
1896: Athletics, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics and Swimming.
In 2012 there were 26 sports contested, and in 2016 there was 28, and 33 are scheduled for 2020. In addition
to the official sports on the program, there are other recognized sports that are set for possible inclusion in the
future. Robert Wood, "Olympic Sports List." Topend Sports Website, 2010

There are summer and winter games each take place every 4 years, while both conducted every two years
alternately.

The 2020 Olympic Games supposed to start on 24th of July, it might be postponed as at the
moment Canada and Australia had already announced their decision to withdraw from this
summer's Games.

Mohamed Fouda

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