The Olympic Games is a worldwide famous sport event. Every four years the best sportsmen of every country united in national teams meet each other in one selected city to find out who is the strongest, fastest and the sturdiest person in the world. There are two types of these games: summer and winter ones, because all sports are conditionally divided according to seasons.

The event was first organized by the ancient Greeks at the Olympus (a residence of Greek gods) more than 2,700 years ago. Modern games are very different from the first ones and quantity of played sports changes every time depending on their popularity. Summer sports usually include synchronized swimming, volleyball, rhythmic-sportive gymnastics, pole vaulting, athletics, etc. The most popular winter sports are hockey, bobsledding, figure skating, biathlon and skiing. As it was noted before, the program is changeable: the most popular sport stays, the less popular one disappears for some time (rugby, motor sports and golf).

The winners in every competition get gold, silver and bronze medals and every sportsman desires to win the golden award. It is a big honor for every country to be a host for Olympic Games, because this is a chance to show its power, financial capabilities and the highest hospitality to guests from other countries by means of organization, opening/closing ceremonies of event and Olympic torch relay.

The Olympic Games are a world famous sporting event. The best athletes from all countries unite in teams representing nations, meet in a specially selected city every four years to find out who is the strongest, fastest and most enduring. There are two types of such games: winter and summer, since all sports can be conditionally divided according to the season.

This event was first held by the Ancient Greeks on Mount Olympus (the home of the Greek gods) over 2700 years ago. Modern games are a far cry from those of the first games, and the number of sports involved varies each time depending on their popularity. Summer sports usually include synchronized swimming, volleyball, rhythmic gymnastics, pole vaulting, athletics, etc. The most popular Winter sports are hockey, bobsleigh, figure skating, biathlon and cross-country skiing. As noted earlier, the program is changeable: the most popular sports remain, while the less popular ones disappear for a while (rugby, motorcycling and golf).

Competition winners receive gold, silver and bronze medals and every athlete dreams of a gold medal. It is a great honor for each country to host the Olympics, as it is a chance to show its power, financial capabilities and a high level of hospitality towards guests from other countries through the organization of events, the opening and closing ceremonies of the game and the Olympic torch relay.

It is worth noting that the official language in Rio de Janeiro, the capital of the 2016 games, is Portuguese, which can be learned via Skype at our school.

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Sports and Olympic Games

Many people all over the world are interested in sport. Sport helps people to stay healthy and makes them more organized and better disciplined in their daily activities.
They have always paid great attention to sport in our schools, colleges and universities. You can hardly find a school without a gym or a sportsground. Every city and town has a few stadiums or swimming pools, where local or even international competitions are usually held. Traditionally, sport could be divided into professional and amateur sport.
Former Soviet Union and later Ukrainian and Russian sportsmen have set a great number of world records in gymnastics, weightlifting, tennis, swimming, running, high jumping, etc. Our sportsmen also participate in the Olympic Games and always win gold, silver and bronze medals.
The Olympic Games have a long history. They started in 776 BC in Greece and took place every four years for nearly twelve centuries at Olympia. They included many different kinds of sports. All the cities in Greece sent their best athletes to Olympia to compete in the Games. When the Games took place, all the wars stopped. So, the Olympic Games became the symbol of peace and friendship.
Now, there are Summer and Winter Olympic Games. They are held separately. There are always several cities wishing to host the Games. The International Committee of Olympic Games selects the most suitable. After that, the host city starts its preparations for the competitions, constructs new sport facilities, or reconstructs them, reconstructs stadiums, hotels, press centres, etc. Thousand of athletes, journalists and guests arrive to the Games, and it takes great efforts to arrange everything.
Russia joined the Olympic movement in 1952. In 1980, Moscow hosted the twenty-second Olympic Games. The latest. Olympic Games were held in Sydney, Australia. Our sportsmen won medals in many sports. Next Olympic Games take place in Greece, the Motherland of these games.

Sports and the Olympics

Many people around the world are interested in sports. Sport helps people stay healthy and makes them more organized, better disciplined in their daily work.
In our schools, colleges and universities, sports have always been given great attention. You will hardly find a school where there is no physical education or sports fields. Each city and town has several stadiums or swimming pools, where local or even international competitions are usually held. Traditionally, sports are divided into professional and amateur.
Athletes of the Soviet Union, and later Ukrainian and Russian athletes, set many world records in gymnastics, weightlifting, tennis, swimming, running, high jump, etc. Our athletes participate in the Olympic Games and always win gold, silver and bronze medals.
The Olympic Games have a long history. They began in 776 BC. in Greece and were held at Olympia: every four years for almost twelve centuries. They included many different sports. All the cities in Greece sent their best athletes to Olympia to compete in the Olympic Games. During the Olympic Games, all wars stopped. Thus, the Olympic Games have become a symbol of peace and friendship.
Now the Olympic Games are divided into Summer and Winter Olympic Games. They are held separately. There are always several cities wishing to host the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee chooses the most suitable city. After that, the city in which the Games will be held begins its preparations for the competition - they build new sports facilities, restore stadiums, hotels, press centers, etc. Thousands of athletes, journalists and guests come to the Games and a lot of work needs to be done so that everyone arrange.
Russia joined the Olympic Movement in 1952. In 1980, Moscow hosted the twenty-second Olympic Games. The last Olympic Games were held in Sydney, Australia. Our athletes have won medals in many sports competitions. The next Olympic Games will be held in Greece, the home of these games.

Questions:

1. Why do many people like sport?
2. How could sport be traditionally divided into?
3. When did the Olympic Games start?
4. What happened in Greece when the Olympic Games started there?
5. When did Russia join the Olympic movement?
6. When did Moscow host the twenty-second Olympic Games?
7. When and where do the next Olympic Games take place?

Vocabulary:

healthy - healthy; useful t
to discipline - to discipline; train, exercise
to pay (past paid, p.p. paid) attention - pay attention
hardly - hardly
gym - colloquial; abbr. from gymnasium - gym
competition - sport, competition, meeting, contest
amateur - amateur; fan
weightlifting - weightlifting
to participate - participate, take part
to include - include
to compete - compete, compete
peace - peace
separately - separately, separately
to host - receive guests; act as a host
suitable - suitable, suitable, appropriate
guest - guest
to arrive - arrive
to arrange - arrange (sya), organize, prepare; take action

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

The first Olympic Games were held in Greece in 776 B.C. They were called the ancient games and lasted until the 4th century A.D. The modern games began in 1896, when the Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin revived the games to bring peace and friendship to the young people all over the world.

Today, there are summer and winter games. Up to 1994 both games were held in the same year, but now they are staged two years apart from each other.

Ceremonies and symbols

The Olympic Games begin with the opening ceremony. Athletes from all the participating nations march into the stadium. Greece comes in first, because it was the first nation to hold the Olympics and the host nation comes in last.

The Olympic flag is raised and a chosen athlete lights the Olympic flame. It is a symbol of spirit, knowledge and life. The fire comes from Olympia, a small town in Greece and many runners transport the flame in a torch relay to the site of the games. It burns from the opening ceremony until the end of the games.

The Olympic rings were created in 1913 and represent the five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas).

All athletes must take the Olympic oath. One of them has to promise that all athletes will give their best and compete in a fair way.

After each event, medals are given to the first three athletes. They receive gold, silver and bronze medals. Their flags are raised and the national anthem of the winner's country is played.

The International Olympic Committee

The IOC is the organization that governs the games. It decides which sports and events are held at the games. The IOC also selects the host city for the summer and winter games, at least seven years before they take place. Cities that want the games must show that

They have enough stadiums for all events
they have enough room for all the athletes
they can provide safety for the athletes
they can transport athletes and spectators from one event to another

Host cities must build an Olympic village where all athletes live during the games.

How can athletes take part?

Normally, each country decides for itself which sportsmen and –women are allowed to take part. Athletes must qualify for the games by winning or doing well in competitions before the Olympic Games start.

Athletes, who are sent to the games by their country must be a citizen of that country. For years, only amateurs were able to participate in the games, but today, most athletes are professionals, who earn their money through sport.

Most governments give their team money so that it can take part in the games.

The ancient games

The ancient Olympic Games were celebrated at Olympia, Greece every four years. They were held in honor of the god Zeus. In the early games, only Greek men were allowed to participate. The games consisted of sports like footraces, wrestling, boxing, the pentathlon and horse racing. The last event of the games was usually a chariot race.

When the Romans conquered Greece in 140 B.C. the games started to lose their religious meaning and in 393 the Roman emperor banned the event.

The Summer Games

The Summer Games are held during the summer season of the host country. They last for 16 days. Today, there are more than 270 events during the games. Over 15,000 athletes from 190 nations take part.

The next Summer Games will be held in London (2012).

The Winter Games

The first separate Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924. They usually take place in February. Today, the Winter Olympics include over 60 events. Athletes from more than 60 countries participate.

Politics and the Olympic Games

In the past, the Olympic Games have been disturbed by political issues. In 1936 the IOC chose Berlin as the site for the 1936 Summer Games. A few years later, Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party rose to power and Hitler used the games to show Germany's power.

In 1968 two Black American runners protested against their government and raised their fists when the American national anthem was played.

In 1980 the USA-and many other countries-didn "t send athletes to the games in Moscow because the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan a year before. In return, the Russians and other Communist countries refused to take part in the 1984 games in Los Angeles.

The worst day in Olympic history came on September 5th, 1972 during the Munich games. Eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the Olympic village and killed two Israeli athletes. 9 others were taken hostage. They wanted the Israeli government to set free over 400 Arab prisoners in Israel. During a battle with German policemen all hostages and the terrorists were killed.

Olympia today

The Olympic Games have become very successful over the past years. More and more people are able to watch them on TV and television stations are spending more money for the rights to broadcast the games. The IOC earns more money than ever before. With this money they help athletes in poorer countries.

Drugs have become a big problem. Some athletes take drugs before and during the games in order to help their muscles grow. When they are caught they are disqualified and their medals are taken away from them.

Olympic Games.

According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 A.D. that all such "pagan cults" be banned.

Olympia

Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of "Pelops", the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty. Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it.

The Games and religion

The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.

Victory Ceremonies

The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner's name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.

The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father's name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner's head.

Quiz on the topic "Olympic Games".

Olympic Games Quiz 1. How often are the Olympic Games held? Every year Every two years Every four years 2. How many rings are there in the Olympic Games symbol? four five 3. What do they represent? countries of the world Continents of the world cities of the world 4. When will the next Summer Olympics be held? 2012 2014 2016 5. Where will the next Winter Olympics be held? London Sochi Rio de Janeiro 6. Where were the first modern Olympics played? 1896 1900 1924 7. Who was the ‘inventor’ of the modern Olympic Games? Pierre de Coubertin Juan Antonio Samaranch Jacques Rogge 8. What do the sportsmen who come first, second and third win in the Olympics? Certificates Equipment medals 9. Where are The International Olympic Committee based? France Switzerland Spain 10. How many people play in a Water Polo team? Five seven.

summer olympic sports	Summer olympic sports
Archery	Archery
Artistic gymnastics	Rhythmic gymnastics
Athletics	Athletics
Badminton	Badminton
Basketball	Basketball
	BMX (cycling)
Boxing	Boxing
canoe/kayak (sprint)	Kayaking and canoeing (sprint)
Diving	Diving
Dressage (Equestrian)	Dressage (equestrian sport)
Eventing (Equestrian)	Triathlon (equestrian sport)
Fencing	Fencing
field hockey	Field hockey
Football	Football
Freestyle (Wrestling)	Freestyle wrestling
Greco-Roman (Wrestling)	Greco-Roman wrestling
Judo	Judo
Jumping (Equestrian)	Jumping (equestrian sport)
Handball	Handball
modern pentathlon	Modern pentathlon
Mountain biking	Mountain biking (cycling)
Rhythmic gymnastics	Gymnastics
road cycling	Road racing (cycling)
Swimming	Swimming
Synchronized swimming	Synchronized swimming
track cycling	Track racing (cycling)
Trampoline	Trampolining
Volleyball (beach)	Beach volleyball
Volleyball (indoor)	Volleyball
water polo	Water polo
Rowing	rowing
Sailing	Sailing
Shooting	Shooting
table tennis	Table tennis
Taekwondo	taekwondo
Tennis	Tennis
Triathlon	triathlon
Weightlifting	Weightlifting

winter olympic sports	Winter olympic sports
Alpine skiing	Skiing
Biathlon	Biathlon
Bobsleigh	Bobsled
cross-country skiing	Ski race
Curling	Curling
Figure skating	Figure skating
freestyle skiing	Freestyle (Skiing)
ice hockey	Hockey
Luge	luge
Nordic combined	Nordic combined
Short track speed skating	Short Track (Skating)
Skeleton	Skeleton
Ski jumping	ski jumping
snowboarding	snowboarding
speed skating	Skating

Olympic vocabulary	Olympic vocabulary
Amateur	amateur
Anthem	Hymn
Banned	forbidden
Broadcaster	Presenter/announcer/commentator
Compete	Compete
Contestant	Competitor
Controversy	disagreement
Doping	Dope
Facilities	(Sports) facilities
Fanfare	Fanfare
Host	Host country of the Olympics
Humanity	Humanity
Medal	Medal
motto	Motto
Nationality	Citizenship
oath	Oath
Participant	Participant
Partisanship	Unfair refereeing (usually for political reasons)
Postpone	Reschedule (competition start)
Preliminaries	Preliminaries
Purity	Purity
Qualify	Qualify for minimum requirements
representative	Representative
Security	Security guard
spectator	Viewer
Sponsor	Sponsor
Spokesman	A person (often an athlete) who represents the company in the marketplace or in the media
sportsmanship	Sports spirit of honesty and justice
Stamina	Endurance
Standings	Position in the standings
Substitute	Substitute Substitute
Swifter	Faster
symbol	Symbol
Torch	Torch
Venue	Location of games (sports field, etc.)
Victory	Victory

The Olympic Games is the greatest international sport event in the world, in which thousands of athletes compete in different types of sports. The Olympic idea means friendship, fraternity and cooperation among the people of the world.

The original Olympic Games began in ancient Greece in 776 B.C. These games were part of a festival held every fourth year in honor of God Zeus in the town called Olympia. It was a great athletic festival, including competitions in wrestling, foot racing and chariot racing, rowing and others.

The Olympic Games were very important for the ancient world. In the period of Games all wars were stopped. The Games were accompanied by atrs festivals. Poets recited their poems, singers sang hymns - all this in honor of God Zeus and the sacred Games.

All athletes competed naked. The modern word “gymnastics” originates from the Greek word “gymos” which means “naked”.

Only men could take part in the Olympic Games. Greek women were forbidden not only to participate but also to watch the Games. But there existed Games for women named Gerai (called after goddess Gera).

The Olympic Games took place from the 8th century BC till the 4th century AD. In 394 AD the Roman Emperor Theodosius banned the Olympic Games because he decided that these competitions are, in essence, pagan festival.

In the late 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin decided to revive the Olympic Games. For this purpose, he founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, and two years later, in 1896 the modern summer Olympic Games were established in Athens.

The Games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. The evolution of the Olympic Movement during the 20th century forced the IOC to adapt the Games to the world’s changing social circumstances. Some of these adjustments included the creation of the Winter Games for ice and snow sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with physical disabilities, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes.

The Olympic motto is “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, which is Latin for “Swifter, Higher, Stronger”. The motto was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin and was introduced in 1924 at the Olympic Games in Paris.

A more informal but well known motto, also introduced by De Coubertin, is “The most important thing is not to win but to take part!”

The symbol of the Olympic Games is composed of five interlocking rings, colored blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white field. This was originally designed in 1912 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. These five rings represent the five continents of the world: America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The nearest Winter Olympic Games are to be held in Vancouver, Canada, in February 2010. Next Olympic Games will be held in London 2012 and Sochi 2014.

Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are the greatest international sporting event in the world in which athletes compete in a variety of sports. The idea of ​​the Olympic Games is friendship, brotherhood and cooperation between people all over the world.

The first Olympic Games took place in Greece in 776 BC. These games were part of a festival held every four years in honor of the god Zeus in the Greek city of Olympia. It was a great sports festival, which included competitions in the following types: wrestling, running, chariot racing, discus and spear throwing, etc.

The Olympic Games played a very important role in the ancient world. During the Games, all wars were stopped. The games were accompanied by an arts festival. Poets read poems, singers sang hymns - and all in honor of the god Zeus and the sacred Games.

All athletes competed naked. The modern word "gymnastics" comes from the Greek word "gimos", which means "naked".

Only men could participate in the Olympic Games. Greek women were forbidden not only to participate, but even to watch the Games. But there were Games for women called Gerai (named after the goddess Hera).

The Olympic Games took place from the 8th century BC. before 4th century AD In 394 AD The Roman emperor Theodosius banned the Olympic Games because he decided that, in fact, it was a pagan festival.

At the end of the 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin decided to revive the Olympic Games. For this purpose, he founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, and two years later, in 1896, the modern Summer Olympic Games were held in Athens.

The Games are currently held every two years, with the Summer and Winter Olympics alternating. In the 20th century, the IOC changed the Games according to the social situation in the world. These changes included the establishment of the Winter Games, the Paralympic Games for athletes with disabilities, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenagers.

The Olympic motto is “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, which means “Faster, Higher, Stronger” in Latin. This motto was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin and introduced in 1924 at the Olympic Games in Paris.

A less official but widely known motto, also proposed by Coubertin, reads: "The main thing is not winning, but participating!"

The symbol of the Olympic Games is five intertwined rings of blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white field. This symbol was designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1912. The five rings symbolize the five continents of the world: America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The next Olympic Games will be held in Vancouver (Canada) in February 2010. And the next Olympic Games will be held in London in 2012 and in Sochi in 2014.

Olympic Games

The Olympic Games are the largest international sports event in the world, as athletes compete in various sports. The idea of ​​the Olympic Games is friendship, brotherhood and cooperation between people in the whole world.

The first Olympic games took place in Greece in 776 rubles. BC These games were a part of the festival, which was held in honor of the god Zeus in the Greek city of Olympia. The whole thing was more sacred for sports, as it included a shock in offensive forms: wrestling, running, driving in chariots, throwing a disk that was written off toshcho.

The Olympic Games played an important role in the ancient world. At the end of the hour, Igor stumbled on all the battles. The Games were accompanied by a festival of mystics. The poets recited verses, the conversers sang hymns - and all in honor of the god Zeus and the sacred Igor.

All the athletes looked naked. Today the word "gymnastics" resembles the Greek word "hymos", which means "naked".

In the Olympic Games, only people could take the fate. It was not enough for the walnut women to take their fate, but to start marveling at the Games. Ale, they founded Games for women under the name Gera (named after the goddess Geri).

The Olympic Games took place in the 8th century BC. before the 4th century AD At 394 p. not. Roman Emperor Theodosius zaboron Olympiyskі іgri, to that vyrishiv, scho, in fact, tse - pagan is sacred.

For example, in the 19th century, Baron P'er de Coubertin won the Olympic Games. With the help of the method of wines, having fallen asleep the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, and two years later in 1896, the summer Olympic games were held in Athens.

Ninі Igri pass skin two rocks, and Summer and Winter Olympic games are drawn. In the 20th century of the IOC, the Games were changed to the social situation in the world. The changes included the confirmation of the Winter Igors, the Paralympic Igors for athletes with limited abilities and the Youth Olympic Games for juniors.

Olympic motto: “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, which in translation from Latin means “Stronger, stronger, stronger”. This is the motto of proponations by P’er de Coubertin and performances in 1924 at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Mensh official, but widely used motto, as proponed by Coubertin, to say: “To the head - not a win, but a fate!”

The symbol of the Olympic Igors is five intertwined wales of black, yellow, black, green and red colors on white aphids. This symbol was broken up by P'er de Coubertin in 1912. The five kіlets symbolize the five continents of the world: America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The nearest Olympic Games will be held near Vancouver (Canada) in the fierce 2010 rock. And the upcoming Olympic Games will be held in London in 2012 and in Sochi in 2014.