Grade XI

Subject: Physical Education

Unit II
Olympism
Syllabus

 Ancient and Modern Olympics

 Olympism- Concept and Olympic values (Excellence, Friendship & Respect)
 Olympics-Symbols, Motto, Flag, Oath and Anthem
 Olympic Movement Structure-IOC, NOC, IFS, other members
Study Material
Ancient Olympics
History reveals that Ancient Olympics were held in the honour of god Zeus, at city of Olympia around 776
BC as the part of religious festivals. Representative of whole Greek used to gather at Olympia (the
beautiful valley) and exhibit their unity during ancient Olympic Games. Therefore these games were called
Olympic Games.

When the Olympic Games were organised 776 BC, certain rules were framed for competitors of various
sports competitions.
i) Only freeborn Greek males participate in the Games and must be physically fit.
ii) Slaves and convicts were banned.
iii) Women were not allowed to participate in competitions or see these games.
iv) Professionals were not allowed to participate.
No medals were awarded in the ancient Olympic Games. Only food grains and animals were given as a
reward. After that a crown made of olive leaves was given to the winners. Statues also made of the
winners.
 CROWN MADE BY OLIVE LEAVES

The ancient Olympic Games continued for approximately one thousand years. But in 394 CE, Theodosius,
the King of Rome, stopped the ancient Olympic Games. Stadiums were destroyed.

Modern Olympics
The revival work of the games was undertaken by Barron Pierre De Coubertin who is also known as father
of modern Olympics. Due to their hard efforts modern Olympic Games held in 1896 at Athens Greece and
since then these games are held every four years. The next has been scheduled for 2024 at Paris and 2028 at
Los Angeles. According to the Olympic charter, the duration of the competitions of the Olympic Games
shall not exceed more than 16 days.

Olympic Symbols
The Olympic symbol was created in 1913 and designed by Pierre-de-Coubertin himself. He created
Olympic flag which is of a milky white texture in the background with five inter linked rings of different
colours. The rings symbolize the union of five continents and meeting of the world. Five colours are Blue,
Black, Red, Yellow & Green. Represents Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australia respectively.
Olympic Motto: Olympic motto comprises three Latin words – CITIUS – ALTIUS – FORTIUS-
COMMUNITER” which means FASTER – HIGHER – STRONGER- TOGETHER, respectively. The
motto was coined by a French educator FATHER HENRI DIDON in 1895.

Olympic Flag
Olympic flag was created in 1913 at the suggestion of Baron De Coubertin. It was first inauguration in
Paris in June 1914. But it was hoisted for the first time in the Olympic stadium at the Antwerp Olympic
Games which were held in 1920.
Olympic flag which is of a milky white texture in the background with five inter linked rings of different
colours. The rings symbolize the union of five continents and meeting of the world. Five colours are Blue,
Black, Red, Yellow & Green. Represents Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australia respectively.

Olympic Oath:
At the opening ceremony, an athlete from the host country takes the following oath on behalf of all the
athletes:
“In the name of all the competitors, I promise that we shall take part in. these Olympic Games, respecting
and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without
drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.”

The oath taking practice started from the 1920 Games.

Olympic Anthem:
An Olympic Anthem, also called the Olympic Hymn, was composed for the 1896 Olympic Games by
Greek composer Spyros Samaras (1863-1917), with words added by his colleague Kostis Palamas. In the
following years, every hosting nation commissioned to various musicians the composition of a specific
Olympic hymn for their own edition of the games.
The anthem by Samaras and Palamas was declared the official Olympic Anthem by the International
Olympic Committee in 1958 at the 54th Session of the IOC in Tokyo, Japan. The anthem was performed
in English at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley and since then it has been played at each Olympic
Games: during the opening ceremony when the Olympic flag is hoisted, and during the closing
ceremony when the Olympic flag is lowered.
Lyrics:
Ancient Spirit immortal, pure father
of the beautiful, the great and the true,
Descend, appear, and sparkle over here
to the glory of thine own earth and heaven.

At running and at wrestling and at throwing,

shine in the momentum of noble contests,
and crown with the unfading branch,
and make the body worthy and ironlike.

Plains, mountains and seas shine with thee

like a great white-purple temple.
And thy pilgrim is running to this here temple,
Ancient Spirit immortal, of every people.

Values of Olympism
The three values of Olympism are excellence, respect and friendship. They constitute the foundation on
which the Olympic Movement builds its activities to promote sport, culture and education with a view to
building a better world.
4. Friendship: Olympic movement presents such opportunities as instrumental in developing friendship
not only among players but also among countries. Players of different countries come to take part in
Olympic Games. When they get together, they become friends. Even when there is tension going on
between two countries, they come close to one another through Olympic Games.
5. Respect: This value motivates the players to show sportsman spirit. Every player should respect the
opponents, rules of game and environment.
7. Excellency: First value is striving for best and excellence and encouraging people to be the best they can
be. This value motivates a person to give the best performance on field and outside the field. The important
thing is not winning, but taking part, making progress and enjoying the healthy combination of body, will
and mind.

International Olympic Committee

The headquarters of Olympic Committee is situated at Lausanne, Switzerland. It was formed on 23 June,
1894 by Pierre Baron De Coubertin. This committee is comprised of 105 active members and 32 honorary
members. Its first president was a Greek named Demetrius Vikelas. This committee once every four years
holds summer and winter modern Olympic Games. This committee had organized the first summer
Olympic Games in 1896 in the Greek city Athens. And the first winter Olympic Games were organized in
1924 in Chamonix. France.
Governing Council
In International Olympic Committee, there are members of different countries. In present there are 15
members which constitute 1 President, 4 Vice-Presidents, and 10 Executive Board Members. They are as
follows:
1. President: The President of International Olympic Committee is chosen by the members of this
committee. The President tenure is for 8 years.
After the expiry of his tenure his period can be extended once only for four years.
2. Vice-President: International Olympic Committee has four Vice-President. They too are chosen by the
member of International Olympic Committee. Their tenure is for 4 years. After the expiry of their tenure
they can be chosen again if the members desire so.
3. Executive Board: The Executive Board is chosen by the members of different countries in a secret
ballot. The Executive Board of International Olympic Committee is responsible for the administration of
International Olympic Committee and the management of its affairs.

Functions of International Olympic Committee

IOC does different functions which are as follows:
(i) The venue where the Olympic Games will be organized is decided by this committee.
(ii) To elect the new members, proper functioning of sports programmes, and selection of host city.
(iii) The promotion of sports/games,
(iv) Fight against doping.
(v) Making rules and regulation for the smooth functioning of games.
(vi) To encourage the different organizations for the support by social and economical way to the players.
(vii) It encourages and supports the promotion of ethics in sports as well as in education of youth through
sports.
(viii) To motivate the culture and education combined along with sports.
(ix) Fight against political or commercial abuse of sports and athletes.
(x) To motivate the development of sports.

National Olympic Committee (NOC):

National Olympic Committees are one of the three constituents of the Olympic Movement, alongside the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Sports Federations.

Their role is to ensure the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games by sending
competitors and officials as well as to promote the fundamental principles and values of Olympism in their
countries, in particular in the fields of sport and education.

They may also nominate interested hosts as candidates for future Olympic Games.

There are currently 206 NOCs. The IOC is the sole authority to recognise a NOC. Together with the
International Sports Federations, the NOCs are a constituent of the Olympic Movement under the
leadership of the IOC.
The mission of the NOCs is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in their respective
countries, in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
International Sports Federation:

The International Sports Federations (IFs) are responsible for the integrity of their sport on the
international level.
The International Sports Federations are international non-governmental organisations recognised by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) as administering one or more sports at world level. The national
federations administering those sports are affiliated to them. While conserving their independence and
autonomy in the administration of their sports, International Sports Federations seeking IOC recognition
must ensure that their statutes, practice and activities conform to the Olympic Charter.
The IFs have the responsibility and duty to manage and to monitor the everyday running of the world's
various sports disciplines, including for those on the programme, the practical organisation of events during
the Games. The IFs must also supervise the development of athletes practising these sports at every level.
Each IF governs its sport at world level and ensures its promotion and development. They monitor the
everyday administration of their sports and guarantee the regular organisation of competitions as well as
respect for the rules of fair play.

Other Members: The Olympic facility regroups diverse group of leaders from the Olympic Movement,
including the IOC president and IOC members, International Federation and National Olympic Committees
Presidents and secretaries general, Chairs and CEO of top partners, future OCOG senior executives.