Olympic Games - the most significant in the world sport competitions. They are held every four years. Every athlete dreams of winning these competitions. The origin of the Olympic Games dates back to ancient times. They were held as early as the seventh century BC. Why were the ancient Olympic Games called holidays of peace? In which country were they first held?

The myth of the origin of the Olympic Games

In ancient times, these were the greatest national festivals. Who is the founder of the ancient Olympic Games is unknown. Myths and legends played a significant role in the social and cultural life of the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that the birth of the Olympic Games dates back to the time of Kronos, the son of the first god Uranus. In a competition between mythical heroes, Hercules won on the run, for which he was awarded an olive wreath. Subsequently, the winner insisted that a sporting event be held every five years. Such is the legend. Of course, there are other legends about the origin of the Olympic Games.

To historical sources confirming the holding of these festivities in Ancient Greece, refers to the "Iliad" by Homer. This book mentions a chariot race organized by the inhabitants of Elis, the area in the Peloponnese where Olympia was located.

Holy Truce

A mere mortal who played a significant role in the development of the ancient Greek Olympic Games was King Ifit. During his reign, the interval between the competitions was already four years. Resuming the Olympic Games, Ifit declared a sacred truce. That is, during these festivities it was impossible to wage war. And not only in Elis, but also in other parts of Hellas.

Elis was considered a sacred place. It was impossible to wage war with her. True, later the Eleans themselves invaded neighboring areas more than once. Why were the ancient Olympic Games called holidays of peace? Firstly, the holding of these competitions was associated with the names of the gods highly revered by the ancient Greeks. Secondly, the aforementioned truce was announced for a month, which had a special name - ἱερομηνία.

About the sports in the Olympic Games held by the Hellenes, scientists still have not come to a consensus. There is an opinion that initially athletes competed only in running. Later, wrestling and chariot racing were added to the sports in the Olympic Games.

Members

Among the citizens in ancient Greece were those who were subjected to public dishonor and contempt by others, i.e. atymia. They could not become participants in competitions. Only respected Hellenes. Of course, the barbarians, who could only be spectators, did not take part in the ancient Olympic Games either. An exception was made only in favor of the Romans. At the ancient Greek Olympic Games, a woman did not even have the right to be present if she was not a priestess of the goddess Demeter.

The number of spectators and participants was huge. If at the first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece (776 BC) competitions were held only in running, then later other sports appeared. And over time, poets and artists got the opportunity to compete in their skills. During the festivities, even deputies competed with each other in the abundance of offerings to mythical deities.

It is known from the history of the Olympic Games that these events had a rather important social and cultural significance. Deals were made between merchants, artists and poets introduced the public to their creations.

Competitions were held on the first full moon after the summer solstice. It went on for five days. A certain part of the time was devoted to rituals with sacrifices and a public feast.

Types of competitions

The history of the Olympic Games, as already mentioned, is full of stories and legends. However, there is reliable information regarding the types of competitions. At the first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, athletes competed in running. This sport was represented by the following varieties:

• Distance running.
• Double run.
• Long run.
• Running in full armor.

The first fist fight took place at the 23rd Olympiad. Later, the ancient Greeks added martial arts such as pankration, wrestling. It was said above that women did not have the right to take part in competitions. However, in 688 BC, special competitions were created for the most purposeful inhabitants in ancient Greece. the only sport in which they could compete, there were horse races.

In the fourth century BC, a competition between trumpeters and heralds was added to the program of the Olympic Games - the Hellenes believed that aesthetic pleasure and sport had a logical connection. Artists exhibited their works on the market square. Poets and writers, as mentioned above, read their writings. Sculptors were sometimes ordered statues of winners after the end of the Games, lyrics in honor of the strongest and most dexterous composed laudatory songs.

Ellanodons

What were the names of the judges who watched the course of the competition and awarded awards to the winners. Ellanodons were appointed by lot. The judges not only presented the award, but also managed the organization of the entire event. At the first Olympic Games there were only two, then nine, and later ten. Beginning in 368 BC, there were twelve Hellanodons. True, later the number of judges decreased. The Ellanodons wore a special purple robe.

How did the competition start? Athletes proved to spectators and judges that the previous months were devoted exclusively to preliminary preparation. They took an oath in front of the statue of the main ancient Greek god - Zeus. Relatives of those wishing to compete - fathers and brothers - also took an oath. A month before the competition, the athletes demonstrated their skills in front of the judges at the Olympic Gymnasium.

The order of the competition was determined by drawing lots. Then the herald publicly announced the name of the contestant. Where were the Olympic Games held?

Sanctuary of Ancient Greece

Where the Olympic Games were held is already clear from the name. Olympia is located in the northwestern part of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. This was once located temple-cultural complex and sacred grove of Zeus. On the territory of the ancient Greek sanctuary there were religious buildings, monuments, athletic facilities and the houses where participants and guests lived. This place was the center of Greek art until the fourth century BC. Later they were burned by order of Theodosius II.

The Olympic Stadium was built gradually. He became the first in ancient Greece. In the fifth century BC, this stadium received about forty thousand spectators. For training, a gymnasium was used - a structure, Treadmill which was equal in length to the one that was in the stadium itself. Another platform for preliminary preparations - palestra. It was a square building with a courtyard. Mostly athletes who competed in wrestling and fisticuffs.

Leonidoyon, which served as a function, was built in the fifth century BC according to the project of a well-known architect in Ancient Greece. The huge building consisted of a courtyard surrounded by columns and included many rooms. The Olympic Games played an important role in the religious life of the Hellenes. And that's why here locals erected several temples and shrines. The buildings fell into disrepair after an earthquake that occurred in the sixth century. The hippodrome was finally destroyed during the flood.

The last Olympic Games in Ancient Greece took place in 394. Banned by Emperor Theodosius. In the Christian era, these events were regarded as pagan. The revival of the Olympic Games occurred after two millennia. Although already in the 17th century, competitions reminiscent of the Olympic ones were held repeatedly in England, France and Greece.

Revival of ancient Greek traditions

The forerunners of the modern Olympic Games were the Olympia, held in the middle of the 19th century. But they, of course, were not so large-scale and had little in common with the competitions, which in our time take place every four years. French Pierre de Coubertin played a significant role in the revival of the Olympic Games. Why did the Europeans suddenly remember the traditions of the ancient Greeks?

In the middle of the 17th century, archaeological research was carried out in Olympia, as a result of which scientists discovered the remains of temple structures. The work continued for more than ten years. At that time, everything related to Antiquity was popular in Europe. The desire to revive Olympic traditions many public and cultural figures became infected. At the same time, the French showed the greatest interest in the culture of holding sports competitions in Ancient Greece, although the archaeological discoveries belonged to the Germans. This can be easily explained.

In 1871, the French army was defeated, which significantly undermined the patriotic spirit in society. Pierre de Coubertin believed that the reason was in a weak physical training soldier. He did not try to inspire his compatriots to fight against Germany and other European powers. The French public figure spoke a lot about the need to improve physical culture, but also advocated overcoming national selfishness and establishing international understanding.

First Olympic Games: new time

In June 1894, a congress was held at the Sorbonne, at which Coubertin presented to the world community his thoughts on the need to revive the ancient Greek traditions. His ideas were supported. On the last day of the congress, it was decided to hold the Olympic Games in two years. They were supposed to take place in Athens. Conduct Committee international competitions led by Demetrius Vikelas. Pierre de Coubertin took over as general secretary.

The 1896 Olympic Games were the largest sporting event. statesmen Greece put forward a proposal to hold the Olympic Games exclusively in their homeland. However, the committee decided otherwise. The venue for the Games changes every four years.

At the beginning of the 20th century Olympic Movement was not widely popular. This is partly due to the fact that at that time the World Exhibition was held in Paris. Some historians believe that the Olympic ideas were saved thanks to the intermediate games of 1906, held again in Athens.

Differences between modern Games and ancient Greek

Competitions were resumed on the model of ancient sports competitions. The modern Olympic Games unite athletes from all states; discrimination against individuals on religious, racial, political grounds is not allowed. This, perhaps, is the main difference between the modern Games and the ancient Greek ones.

What did the modern Olympic Games borrow from the ancient Greek? First of all, the names themselves. The frequency of the competitions was also borrowed. One of the purposes of the modern Olympic Games is to serve the world, to establish mutual understanding between countries. This is in tune with the ideas of the ancient Greeks about a temporary truce during the days of the competition. The Olympic fire and torch are the symbols of the Olympics, which, of course, originated in antiquity. Some terms and rules for holding competitions were also borrowed from the ancient Greeks.

There are, of course, several significant differences between modern Games and antique. The ancient Greeks held sports events exclusively in Olympia. Today the Games are organized each time in a different city. In ancient Greece, there was no such thing as the Winter Olympics. Yes, the competition was different. In antiquity in the Olympic Games were attended not only by athletes, but also by poets.

Symbolism

Everyone knows what the symbol of the Olympic Games looks like. Five fastened rings in black, blue, red, yellow and green. However, few people know that these elements do not belong to any particular continent. sounds in Latin, translated into Russian means "faster, higher, stronger". The flag is a white cloth with rings. It has been raised at every Games since 1920.

Both the opening and closing of the Games are accompanied by a grandiose, colorful ceremony. The best organizers are involved in the development of the script mass events. Famous actors and singers strive to participate in this spectacle. The broadcast of this international event attracts tens of millions of viewers around the world to television screens.

If the ancient Greeks believed that in honor of the Olympic Games it was worth suspending any hostilities, then in the twentieth century the opposite was true. Sports competitions were canceled due to armed conflicts. The games were not held in 1916, 1940, 1944. Russia has hosted the Olympics twice. In 1980 in Moscow and in 2014 in Sochi.

Sports, often understood by the Greeks as competitions, were of such social importance that the very first, accurately dated records, dating back to 776 BC. e. do not contain memories of a battle or a political event, but the name of the first winner of the Olympic Games. It was in 776 BC. and the first Olympic Games were held.

Sport was one of the fundamental components of education for the Greeks. However, sports competitions also had an important religious significance; competitions were held at the funerals of significant people and were one of the ways to honor the deceased. It is very likely that the games began to be held in memory of the heroes, whose death was mourned by everyone, like the death of Oenomaus in Olympia. In the historical era, the funerary significance of the competitions faded to nothing, their entertainment came to the fore, now they were arranged to please the gods. Over time, some of the iconic venues for the competitions, in particular Olympia, began to acquire great importance for political and religious reasons, so that residents of neighboring cities, then adjacent regions, had to be allowed to participate in the competitions.

The Games have become so important that for the duration of them even wars have stopped. The number of people who attended the games is indicated by the size Olympic Stadium- its stands could accommodate up to 40 thousand spectators, and 20 people could run on the treadmill at the same time.

The competition lasted five days, of which part of the time was devoted directly to sports, and the other part was devoted to sacrifices, feasts and other religious rites.

Only Hellenes-citizens could participate in the competitions. Non-citizens and barbarians could only be spectators. However, after joining Rome, an exception was made for the Romans, which, however, is not surprising. Women, even as spectators, were not allowed to participate in the festive competitions.

The first, and at first the only, type of competition in the Olympic Games was running - they ran for a distance of 192 meters (one Olympic stage). Starting from the 14th game, a new competition appeared - a double run. In this competition, the runners ran for two stages - 384 m. Later, a long run appeared (from 15 games) over a distance of 7 to 24 stages.

Starting from the 65th Olympiad, hoplite running was included in the competition - runners competed in fully equipped heavily armed infantryman. By the way, this is the only type of competition in the Olympic Games in which athletes covered their nudity.

In addition to running, athletes competed in fisticuffs (added at the 23rd Olympiad), pankration, or hand-to-hand combat(added in the 33rd Olympiad), wrestling (added in the 18th Olympiad), and pentathlon or pentathlon (added in the 18th Olympiad).

Equestrian competitions were an important part of the competition. Particularly popular were quadriga races (since the 25th Olympic Games). The winners in them were the owners of the horses, not the drivers. This sport was available only to high society - the richest Greeks and representatives of the royal families, who were able to keep horses.

The reward for the winner in the games was a wreath of wild olives and, of course, universal reverence among fellow tribesmen - poems were composed in honor of them, even statues were erected.

In 394, the Olympic Games, as pagan, were banned by the Christian emperor Theodosius. For a long century, mankind forgot about these grandiose competitions sports facilities fell into disrepair or were destroyed.

The Olympic Games received a new life in the 19th century - since 1896, the summer Olympic Games were organized by enthusiasts. They were held every four years. Starting from 1924, the Winter Olympic Games were established, which, starting from 1994, began to be held with a shift of two years relative to the time of the summer games.

One of the brightest and most massive events on the planet are the Olympic Games. Any athlete who manages to take the podium at the Olympic competitions receives the status Olympic champion for life and his achievements remain in the world history of sports for centuries. Where and how did the Olympic Games originate and what is their history? Let's try to conduct a brief digression into the history of the emergence and holding of the Olympic Games.

Story

The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece, where they were not only a sports, but also a religious holiday. Information about the holding of the very first games and their origin has not been preserved, but there are several legends that describe this event. The first documented date for the celebration of the Olympic Games is 776 BC. e. Despite the fact that the games were held before, it is generally accepted that they were established by Hercules. In 394 AD, with the advent of Christianity as the official religion, the Olympic Games were banned by Emperor Theodosius I, as they began to be seen as a kind of pagan phenomenon. And yet, despite the ban on games, they have not completely disappeared. In Europe, local competitions were held, somewhat reminiscent of the Olympic Games. After some time, the games resumed thanks to Panagiotis Sutsos, who proposed this idea, and thanks to the public figure Evangelis Zappas, who brought it to life.

The first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896 in the country where they originated - in Greece, in Athens. To organize the Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was created, whose first president was Demetrius Vikelas. Despite the fact that only 241 athletes from 14 countries took part in the first modern Games, they were a huge success, becoming a significant sporting event in Greece. Initially, it was meant to always hold the Games in their homeland, but the Olympic Committee introduced a decision that the venue would change every 4 years.

The II Olympic Games of 1900, held in France, in Paris, and the III Olympic Games of 1904, held in the USA, in St. Louis (Missouri), were less successful, as a result of which the Olympic movement as a whole experienced the first crisis after a significant success. Since the Games were combined with the World Exhibitions, they did not arouse much interest among the audience, and the sports competitions lasted for months.

In 1906, again in Athens (Greece), the so-called "intermediate" Olympic Games were held. At first, the IOC supported the holding of these Games, but now they are not recognized as Olympic. There is an opinion of some sports historians that the 1906 Games were a kind of salvation Olympic idea, which did not allow the Games to lose their meaning and become "unnecessary".

All rules, principles and regulations are determined by the Charter of the Olympic Games, approved in Paris in 1894 by the International Sports Congress. The Olympiads are counted from the time of the first Games (I Olympiad - 1896-99). Even if the games are not held, the Olympiad receives its serial number, for example, the VI Games in 1916-19, the XII Games in 1940-43 and the XIII in 1944-47. The Olympic Games are symbolized by five rings of different colors fastened together (Olympic rings), denoting the unification of the five parts of the world - the top row: blue - Europe, black - Africa, red - America, and the bottom row: yellow - Asia, green - Australia. The choice of venues for the Olympics is carried out by the IOC. All organizational issues related to the Games are decided not by the chosen country, but by the city. The duration of the Games is approximately 16-18 days.

The Olympic Games, like any strictly organized event, have their own specific traditions and rituals.

Here are some of them:

Before the opening and closing of the games, theatrical performances are held, presenting to the audience the appearance and culture of the country and city in which they are held;

ceremonial passage through central stadium athletes and members of delegations. Athletes from each country go in separate groups in alphabetical order of country names in the language of the country in which the Games are held, or in the official language of the IOC (English or French). Each group is preceded by a representative of the host country who carries a sign with the name of the respective country. He is followed by a flag bearer carrying the flag of his country. This very honorable mission, as a rule, is granted to the most respected and titled athletes;

Mandatory President of the International Olympic Committee delivers welcome speeches. Also, the speech is delivered by the head of state in which the Games are held;

The flag of Greece is raised as the country in which the Olympic Games originated. Her national anthem is played;

The flag of the country in which the Games are held is raised and its execution also follows. national anthem; - one of the outstanding athletes of the host country of the Games takes an oath on behalf of all participants about a fair fight and competition that will comply with all the principles and rules of sports;

The opening ceremony ends with the lighting and "relay" of the Olympic flame. The initial part of the relay passes through the cities of Greece, the final part - through the cities of the country in which the games are held. The torch with fire is delivered to the city that organizes the Games on the opening day. The fire burns until the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games;

The closing ceremony is also accompanied by theatrical performances, the speech of the IOC President, the passage of participants, etc. The President of the IOC announces the closing of the Olympics, followed by the performance of the national anthem, the anthem of the Olympic Games, the lowering of the flags. At the end of the ceremony, the Olympic flame goes out.

Each country participating in the Olympic Games develops its own official emblem and mascot of the Games, which become part of the souvenir products.

The following sports are included in the program of the Olympic Games

BUT: crossbow sport

B: Badminton , Basketball , Running , Skating , Bobsleigh , Biathlon , Billiards , Boxing , Freestyle wrestling , Greco-Roman wrestling

AT: Cycling, Water polo, Volleyball

G: Handball , Artistic gymnastics , Rhythmic gymnastics , Alpine skiing , Rowing, Rowing and canoeing

D: Judo

TO: Curling, Equestrian

L: Athletics ,Ski race , skiing

H: Table tennis

P: sailing,swimming, Diving , ,Ski jumping

WITH: luge,

The XXXII Summer Olympic Games from June 24 to August 9, 2020 will be held in the Japanese capital Tokyo. Paralympic competitions will be held there from August 25 to September 6.

The 2020 Olympics will be Japan's fourth in history. Twice the country became the host of the Winter Games (Sapporo-74 and Nagano-98) and once held Summer Olympics(Tokyo-64).

Who else bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics?

Official applications for hosting the Games were submitted before September 1, 2011. In the final, three cities competed for the right to host the 2020 Olympics: Madrid (Spain), Istanbul (Turkey) and Tokyo (Japan).

How many countries will take part in the 2020 Olympics?

About 203 countries and over 12,500 athletes from all over the world are expected to take part in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

What is the logo for the 2020 Olympics?

On July 24, 2015, the official presentation of the emblems of the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games took place. They were developed Japanese designer Kenjiro Sano. For the Olympics, he chose the letter "T", made up of geometric shapes in black, red, gold and gray on a white background. The equal sign placed vertically became the logo of the Paralympics. However, a month later it became known that the organizing committee of the Games decided to stop using the emblems designed by Sano, due to accusations of plagiarism. Belgian designer Olivier Déby immediately after the presentation of the emblems of the Games in Tokyo, he said that two years ago he came up with a very similar logo for the theater in the city of Liege.

2020 Olympics logo designed by Kenjiro Sano

Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Kenjiro Sano

Théâtre de Liège logo designed by Olivier Déby

Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Olivier Debie

After the scandal, the indigo checkerboard ring became the new Olympic emblem. Each rectangle symbolizes different countries and cultures, as well as the diversity of the world, united around sports. Logo author designer Asao Tokoro called his work "Harmonious Checkered Emblem".

Olympic Games are international sports competitions which are held every four years in different cities. Thousands of athletes from all over the world compete against each other in individual and team sports. Over 1 billion people watch games on TV.

Modern Olympic Games

The first Olympic Games were held in Greece in 776 BC. They were named as ancient games and continued until the 4th century AD. Modern Olympic Games began in 1896 when the Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin revived the games to bring peace and friendship to the whole world. There are summer and winter games. Until 1994, both games were held in the same year, but now they are staged with a two-year break from each other.

The modern Olympic Games begin with the opening ceremony. Athletes from all participating countries enter the stadium. Greece comes out first because it was the first country to host the Olympics and the host last. The Olympic flag is raised and the chosen athlete lights the Olympic flame. It is a symbol of spirit, knowledge and life. The fire burns from the opening to the end of the games.

The Olympic rings were created in 1913 and represent the five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and South America). All athletes must recite the Olympic Oaths. One of them must promise that all athletes will compete in a fair manner. After each event, medals are given to the first three athletes. They receive gold, silver and bronze medals. Their flags are raised and the anthem of the country of the winner is played.

International Olympic Committee

The IOC is the organization that governs the modern Olympic Games. He decides which sports and events will be held at the Games. The IOC also selects the host city for summer and winter games. Cities that want to host games must show that they have enough stadiums for all events, they have enough space for all the athletes, they can provide security for the athletes, they can transport athletes and spectators from one event to the next. They also need to build an Olympic village where all the athletes will live during the games.

How can athletes participate?

As a rule, each country decides for itself which athletes will take part. Athletes must qualify for the Games by winning competitions held prior to the start of the Olympic Games. Athletes who are sent to the games from their country must be citizens of that country. For many years, only amateurs could compete in the games, but in the modern Olympics today, most of the athletes are professionals who earn money through sports.

ancient games

The ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia and Greece every four years. They were held in honor of the god Zeus. Back then, only Greek men were allowed to participate. The games consisted of races, wrestling, boxing, pentathlon and horse racing. The last were, as a rule, chariot races. When the Romans conquered Greece in 140 BC, the games began to lose their religious significance and in 393 the Roman emperor banned the event.

The Summer Games take place during the summer season in the host country. They lasted 16 days. Today there are more than 270 competitions. More than 15,000 athletes from 190 countries take part in them.

The first Winter Olympic Games were held in France in 1924. They usually take place in February. Currently, the Winter Olympic Games include more than 60 events. Athletes from more than 60 countries participate in them.

The modern Olympic Games have become very successful and more and more more people can watch them on TV, TV stations spend all more money for the right to broadcast games. The IOC is making more money than ever before. With this money they help athletes in poor countries.